Media Prescriptions: Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Entertainment Media on Stress Relief, Illness Symptoms, and Goal Attainment

Abstract Rooted in theories of positive emotions, this research asks the question: Can media be prescribed to help mitigate the negative effects of stress on well-being? Over the course of 5 days, participants were assigned 5-minute YouTube videos pilot tested to evoke hope, amusement, or calmness. Compared to a no-message control, each media group reported reduced stress during the intervention. All groups also reported reduced stress and fewer illness symptoms a few days after the intervention’s conclusion. Although all media conditions calmed stress experiences, only the videos designed to evoke hope via underdog narratives generated increases in approach motivation and goal attainment, explained primarily by felt hope (vs. self-efficacy). This research demonstrates that positive emotions induced by media exposure can generate both psychological and physical benefits, and that discrete emotions can exert unique patterns of influence. Implications for the application of media prescriptions are considered.