Boomerang Effects in Restrictive Mediation: Investigating the Role of Reactance Using Serial Multiple Mediation Analysis

• In Event: Cutting Edge Research on Parental Mediation of their Children's Media Use

Abstract

Extant research on parental mediation of media content has found that restrictive mediation produces unintended effects in adolescents. Speculation exists that these suboptimal effects are due to psychological reactance following a restrictive mediation interaction leading the adolescent toward defiant behavior. A survey of undergraduate students (N = 483) was conducted to investigate the process of psychological reactance as a mediating factor in the relationship between restrictive parental mediation and three boomerang effects: negative attitude toward parents, positive attitude toward restricted content, and intention to view restricted content with friends. Results revealed that a direct effect was present between restrictive mediation and attitude toward parent, but not between restrictive mediation and attitude toward restricted content or intention to view restricted content with friends. Moreover, the reactance process fully mediated the relationship for attitude toward restricted content and intention to view restricted content with friends, but only partially mediated attitude toward parents.

Authors

• Shawna R White, Texas Tech U

• Eric E Rasmussen, Texas Tech University

• Andy J King, Texas Tech U