Stress and Emotional Regulation in Reality TV Show Environments

Isn’t it fun to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life, sit back on the couch and drift off into a whole other world of reality TV shows? A world og glitz and glamour where individuals with fame step into an almost alternate reality. From living in jungles to running around mansions and palaces, from playing elaborate games to find love, trust and betrayal to fighting to survive in extreme environments, reality TV shows have it all. But behind all the lights from the camera, perfect moments, intense music and drama that follow every reality TV star, there is also an extremely nerve-wracking experience.

Reality TV is a great form of entertainment for viewers, but it can be an intensely stressful experience for the actors and professionals involved. Constantly being on camera with little to no privacy, fierce competition, exaggerated emotional responses and little control over one’s life, the reality TV conditions can test human resilience. The following article aims to explore and understand stress and emotional regulation in the context of reality TV show environments. 

Understanding the Stressors of a Reality TV Show Environment

The setting of a reality TV show is designed to entertain the viewer and not to safeguard those on the show. Its main aim has always been to please the audience,  and for the same purpose, to keep the entertainment levels at an all-time high. Producers of reality TV shows introduce stressors that test participants and push them to their limits. These are some of the stressors commonly present in the unscripted environments of reality TV shows:

1. Surveillance

Participants on reality TV shows are always being recorded. The only way producers and creators can catch every reaction to build an entertaining storyline for the viewers to follow is to constantly record the participants. Every word, gesture, action or even facial expression is caught on camera for millions around the world to eventually see.

2. Uncertain Social Dynamics

Most participants on reality TV shows are thrown into situations that are previously unknown to them with people they have never interacted with. This group of strangers that they now share great periods of time with will develop social dynamics in an extremely tumultuous environment. These group dynamics can even be influenced by producers, which will promote fighting, paranoia, distress, and more (Blair, n.d.). The formation of rivalries, alliances, cliques, and more can evoke very strong human emotions, which can have an impact on the well-being of any individual.

3. Competition

Any type of reality TV show always has the looming threat of elimination to keep the show interesting. especially with the added unpredictability of different tasks, hidden challenges, wildcard entries, and public voting or opinion, participants are always competing with one another. 

4. Isolation

Reality TV participants are essentially confined in small spaces with strangers. They have no way of making contact with the real world, except through the crew members and producers, which essentially robs them of any real-life connections and social support that they rely upon. Simultaneously, due to the constant sense of competition that prevails in the atmosphere, it can become very difficult to form trustworthy relations and friendships with co-participants.

5. Lack of Rest

Because content is being produced on a reality TV show almost 24 hours a day, participants can not sleep for most of them. Producers and crew members are also known to give participants irregular sleeping schedules and a few hours of sleep, to keep them on edge (RTV0013 – Evidence on Reality Tv, n.d.). 

6. Starvation

Producers and creators of reality TV shows go beyond simple psychological manipulation tactics. Many reality TV actors have suggested in interviews and more that they were practically starved and only allowed to consume one meal a day during the filming of the show (Wright, 2023). While designed to elicit exaggerated emotions from participants, it also fosters distorted body image perceptions among viewers.

7. Increased use of Alcohol

Reality TV sets often limit food and sleep, but provide abundant alcohol. Often used as a strategic marketing strategy, alcohol also induces a sense of “high” among the participants, which again leads to exaggerated emotional responses (Ias, 2022).

8. Endless Pursuit of Fame

Reality TV is a quick ticket to fame, and that is what motivates most contestants. The intense desire for fame can exacerbate the stress experienced by contestants in this environment. The desire to constantly appeal to the masses and gain fame adds an extra layer of pressure. 

Read More: Behind the Spotlight: How Reality TV Impacts Child Stars’ Mental Health

The Result of the Stressors in Reality TV

The number and sources of stress on a reality TV show set are numerous and can have wide impacts on the functioning of the participants. Whether they are internalised forms of stressors or psychological manipulation tactics enforced by the crew, the impact on the mental well-being of the contestants is detrimental. These are a few of the psychological impacts that such intense stress can have:

1. Increased levels of anxiety 
2. Hypervigilance
3. Intense emotional reactions
4. Greater proclivity towards emotional breakdowns 
5. Increased impulsivity in behaviour 
6. Greater urge to engage in conflict
7. Fatigue 
8. Frustration 
9. Issues in self-esteem 
10. Increased irritability 
11. Paranoia 
12. Feelings of isolation and loneliness

While these impacts of the inhumane conditions on the set of a reality TV show last during the filming period, they can persist into the daily lives of the contestants as well. Many reality TV stars commonly suffer from a wide variety of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and more (The Harsh Reality of Reality TV and Mental Health, n.d.). While the link between reality TV conditions and the rise of mental illnesses among the contestants has not been scientifically established, the high-stress environments definitely contribute towards them.

Emotional Regulation on the Reality TV Set

In a world where exaggerated emotional responses and breakdowns are often the currency of TRP ratings. It’s very difficult to introduce a sense of emotional regulation for the participants’ well-being. Most reality TV stars and shows do not promote the regulation of emotions or mindfulness (Papas, 2021). But it is something that they must practice for their own well-being. These are some of the tactics that contestants often engage in: 

1. Reframing Situations: A form of cognitive reappraisal, where individuals opt for a different lens to view their current situation. Essentially, in trying times, contestants can look for the silver lining in each dark cloud as a way to maintain a general sense of optimism and motivation for themselves. 
2. Mindfulness: Practising mindfulness has always been a great way to control oneself and regulate emotions. With the use of breathing exercises and finding peace in daily tasks, contestants can find themselves relieved of stress. Mindfulness and grounding techniques will also alleviate pressures and help them stay in the moment. 
3. Engaging with Nature: In shows that are filmed in open environments and scenic natural beauty spots, contestants will find it beneficial to spend some time with nature. It can be a good way to ground oneself and even find a sense of peace in an otherwise chaotic environment. 
4. Me-Time: Many times during the filming of reality TV shows, contestants often try to spend more time alone and away from the prying eye of the camera. When a contestant is alone, they obviously will not be stirring up too much drama, which is disliked by the camera, hence allowing them moments of solitude and peace. 

Read More: Mindfulness Meditation has a Positive Effect on Mental Health

Conclusion

Reality TV shows can be a great source of entertainment, but are they also forms of psychological warfare for those participating? They present a psychologically unique landscape which amplifies stress and runs of emotional breakdowns. In such an environment, the participant is exposed to several stressors that they need to systematically approach for the betterment of their own well-being. In such high-pressure environments, participants can rely on only a handful of emotional regulation strategies. Ultimately, the stress and regulation of emotions in reality TV shows are some of the hidden costs of entertainment. 

FAQs

1. Are all reality TV show environments mentally stressful for participants? 

Yes, by nature, the environment for a reality TV show is stressful for the participant. Constant camera surveillance in such an emotionally charged environment stresses any individual. 

2. Do all participants suffer from mental illnesses once they are released from the reality TV show environment? 

Not all participants develop mental illnesses after leaving the reality TV show environment. Some of the participants who found the living conditions to be truly difficult to deal with do end up battling mental illnesses. Others can detach themselves from the experience. 

3. How can reality TV shows support the participants?

Reality TV shows are in a particularly unique position to support the mental well-being of the participant. They can ensure that all contestants can rest and eat well. They can also provide therapy services and counselling sessions for the participants.