Alcohol, Sex, and Screens: Modeling Media Influence on Adolescent Alcohol and Sex Co-Occurrence

Abstract

Alcohol use and sexual behavior are important risk behaviors in adolescent development, and combining the two is common. The reasoned action approach is used to predict adolescents’ intention to combine alcohol use and sexual behavior based on exposure to alcohol and sex combinations in popular entertainment media. We conducted a content analysis of mainstream (n=29) and Black-oriented movies (n= 34) from 2014 and 2013–2014, respectively, and 56 television shows (2014–15 season). Content analysis ratings featuring character portrayals of both alcohol and sex within the same 5-minute segment were used to create exposure measures that were linked to online survey data collected from 1,990 14–17 year-old adolescents (50.3% Black, 49.7% White, 48.1% female). Structural equation modeling and group analysis by race were used to test whether attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control mediated the effects of media exposure on intention to combine alcohol and sex. Results suggest that for both White and Black adolescents, exposure to media portrayals of alcohol and sex combinations is positively associated with adolescents’ attitudes and norms. These relationships were stronger among White adolescents. Intention was predicted by attitude, norms, and control, but only the attitude-intention relationship was different by race group (stronger for Whites).

Prototypes reflect normative perceptions: implications for the development of reasoned action theory

“…[4] Note that although reasoned action has been used to understand alcohol use (Cooke, Sniehotta, & Schüz, 2007; Johnston & White, 2003; Marcoux & Shope, 1997) and aggression (Doane, Pearson, & Kelley, 2014; Roberto, Meyer, Boster, & Roberto, 2003; Tolman, Edleson, & Fendrich, 1996; Welsh & Gordon, 1991) as independent outcomes, we apply it to their combination as a single behavior (Bleakley et al, 2017). Note that this is the kind of “risky” population and behavior that is also used in many prototype studies, so it is especially appropriate for a comparative analysis.…”

Sexualization of Girls: Addressing Criticism of the APA Report, Presenting New Evidence

“…Exposure to sexualization has an impact on how adolescents act and perceive others, including what they may expect in their own sexual encounters (Martino, Collins, Elliott, Kanouse, & Berry, 2009;Ragsdale et al, 2014) and how they perceive others' sexual activities (A. Bleakley et al, 2017;Frison, Vandenbosch, Trekels, & Eggermont, 2015). It has also been seen to affect their attitudes toward relationships (Hartley et al, 2014;Len-Ríos et al, 2016) and knowledge of safe sex practices (Jones, Biddlecom, Hebert, & Mellor, 2011;A.…”

Peer Networks and Intention to Consume Unhealthy Food: The Association Through Cognitive Mediators in Peruvian Adolescents

“…In addition, the constructs of the reasoned action approach (RAA; Fishbein & Ajzen, 2010; Hennessy, Bleakley, Mallya, & Romer, 2014) have shown to be good predictors of food consumption including fruit and vegetable consumption (Kothe & Mullan, 2015) or intention to buy fast food (Padgett, Kim, Goh, & Huffman, 2013). Research has supported the role of RAA constructs as relevant mediators: For example, they mediate the relationship between parental control and junk food intake (Karimi-Shahanjarini et al, 2012) or television exposure and intention to drink alcohol (Bleakley et al, 2017). Nonetheless, the mechanisms through which peer networks influence intention to consume unhealthy food among adolescents remain unclear.…”