Can Vertical Series Help Women Build Healthier Relationships?
Survey results are in
HOLYWATER, the company behind My Drama recently surveyed 4,500 American women to explore how bite-sized, phone-first series impact emotional wellbeing and relationships. Partnering with EFT-certified therapist Dr. Isabelle Morley, they wanted to see whether these fast-paced, cliffhanger-driven shows could do more than entertain.
Vertical series fit seamlessly into busy lives. Most viewers watch alone, often daily, treating episodes as a quick emotional reset. About 71% of women said the dramas help them cope with stress, and 66% reported feeling more emotionally balanced afterward.
The shows also support processing complex emotions. 84% of respondents enjoy intense storylines and complex characters, 39% said the series provide a safe space to explore difficult feelings, and 55% use them to rehearse situations they might never face in real life.
Vertical dramas also appear to influence real-world relationship awareness. 82% of women felt the shows helped them spot toxic dynamics, and 48% reported making positive changes in their relationships as a result. In other words, these series let viewers experience messy or unhealthy relationships safely, learning when to engage, set boundaries, or walk away.
The survey suggests vertical dramas are more than entertainment: they offer reflection, emotional growth, and a low-risk way to practice healthier relationship choices.
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