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INTENTIONAL EXPOSURE TO PORNOGRAPHY AND THE PERPETRATION OF SEXUALLY AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A NEW AREA OF CHILD MALTREATMENT RESEARCH

Presenters: Michele Ybarra

Abstract Category: Research

Instruction Level: Beginner

Presentation: Click Here

Description:

We will discuss cross-sectional associations between media violence and the expression of seriously violent behavior among older children and teenagers in a national sample.

Abstract:

The Growing up with Media Survey examines the association between media violence and the expression of seriously violent behavior among older children and teenagers in a national sample.  This cross-sectional survey of 1,591 youth between the ages of 10-15 years was conducted August-September, 2006.  The main outcome measure was youths’ self-reported seriously violent behavior: 1) shooting or stabbing someone; 2) aggravated assault; 3) robbery, and 4) sexual assault.  Five percent of youth reported engaging in seriously violent behavior over the past 12 months.  Thirty-seven percent reported exposure to violence online.  Exposures to media violence both online and offline were associated with significantly elevated odds for concurrently reporting seriously violent behavior.  After adjusting for all other influential characteristics, youth who indicated that some (AOR = 2.4, p=0.02), or many, most, or all (AOR = 4.9, p=<0.001) of the websites they visited depicted real people engaged in violent behavior were significantly more likely to also report seriously violent behavior.  Exposure to media violence is associated with concurrent reports of seriously violent behavior whether the medium is television, music, games, or the Internet.  Newer forms of violent media exposures appear to be especially concerning.  Our findings add to the growing evidence that media violence is related to seriously violent behavior among youth and is an appropriate target for youth violence prevention.  Healthcare providers and others working with youth should be aware of the amount of violence in the child’s media diet and educate the public about the importance of actively reducing all violent media exposures.