Television Exposure and Fear of Crime in Adolescents: Exploring the Mediated Fear Model

• In Event: Aggression, Bullying, and Fear in a Media-Rich Environment: High-Density Session

Abstract

The potential impact of the mass media has been virtually neglected in the study of adolescent fear of crime. Research on adults posits an indirect relationship between television viewing and fear, mediated by perceptions of risk, control, and seriousness of crime. In an online survey of 3372 12- to 18-years-olds the relationship between TV exposure and fear of crime was mediated by at least one of the three cognitive factors. Exposure to News, Soap Operas, Music Videos and Crime Drama were all associated with either decreased or increased feelings of fear. For each genre this relationship was mediated by one or more of the three cognitive components. Some relationships differed significantly dependent upon age and gender. Our findings suggest that the age of 14 to 15 is pivotal: some relationships became either significant or non-significant or even changed signs around that age. Implications for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Kathleen Custers, U of Leuven - School for Mass Communication Research

• Jan Van den Bulck, U of Leuven School for Mass Communication Research