The Influence of a Sexual Media Diet on College Freshmen’s Endorsement of the Hookup Culture, Hookup Behaviors, and Sexual Risk-Taking

• In Event: From Hook Up to Pregnancy: Sex, Sexuality, and Media

Abstract

The present panel study examined the impact of college freshmen’s sexual media diets (SMDs) on endorsement of the hookup culture (EHC), hookup experiences, and sexual risk-taking behaviors. Our goal was to investigate the influence of exposure to sexual media content across six different formats (TV, movies, music, magazines, Internet, and social networking sites) on attitudes and behaviors related to hooking up. Results revealed that those who consumed higher amounts of sexual media content were more likely to accept the norms and expectations of the hookup culture. Gender moderated the relationship, however, such that the influence of SMD on EHC was stronger for male participants than female participants. Further, there was an indirect effect of (a) SMD on hookup experiences, as well as (b) SMD on sexual risk-taking through EHC. The results are interpreted through the theoretical lens of social cognitive theory (Bandura, 2009).

Authors

• Sara Jean Peters, U of Missouri

• Jennifer Stevens Aubrey, U of Arizona