Linking Exposure to Outcomes: Early Adolescents’ Consumption of Sexual Content in Six Media

Pardun, Carol J.; L'Engle, Kelly Ladin; & Brown, Jane D. (2005). Linking Exposure to Outcomes: Early Adolescents’ Consumption of Sexual Content in Six Media. Mass Communication and Society, 8(2), 75-91.

Reference Type:
Journal Article

Secondary Title:

Series Title:

Author(s):
Pardun, Carol J.
L'Engle, Kelly Ladin
Brown, Jane D.

Editor(s):

Series Author(s):

Year Published:
2005

Date Published:

Journal Name:
Mass Communication and Society

Volume Number:
8

Issue Number:
2

Start Page Number:
75-91

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Edition:

Series Volume:

Publisher:

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ISSN/ISBN:

DOI:
10.1207/s15327825mcs0802_1

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Reference ID:
2797

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Abstract:

A media-use questionnaire was completed by 3,261 7th and 8th graders and a subsample of 1,074 respondents was interviewed about their sexual attitudes and behaviors. Based on results from the media survey, respondents' top television shows, movies, music, Internet sites, and newspapers were content analyzed for portrayals or references to pubertal development, romantic relationships, body exposure or nudity, sexual innuendo, touching and kissing, and sexual intercourse. Overall, 11% of the media used by respondents contained sexual content. A measure called the Sexual Media Diet (SMD) was developed to assess each individual's exposure to sexual content in the media, based on the combination of media consumption and content. The SMD measure showed a statistically significant association with adolescents' sexual activity and future intentions to be sexually active, with measures of movie and music exposure showing the strongest associations.

Keyword(s):
Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and Reproductive Health

URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327825mcs0802_1

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Citation:

Pardun, Carol J.; L'Engle, Kelly Ladin; & Brown, Jane D. (2005). Linking Exposure to Outcomes: Early Adolescents’ Consumption of Sexual Content in Six Media. Mass Communication and Society, 8(2), 75-91.