The role of Television use During Adolescence in Attitudes Toward Uncommitted sex During Young Adulthood

• In Event: 1-043 - Sexual Development in Adolescence: The role of Parenting, Popular Media, and Sexual Double Standards

Integrative Statement

During adolescence, youth gradually acquire a deeper understanding of intimate relationships from various socialization sources including parents, peers, and media (Chapin, 2000). Adolescents may be especially attracted to the idealized and appealing portrayals of sex in popular televised media such as sitcoms, dramas, and music videos (Chapin, 2000). As, for instance, sitcoms and music videos frequently convey uncommitted, risk-free views of sexuality, repeated exposure may influence corresponding attitudes among adolescents (Wright, 2009). Conversely, other genres, such as romantic dramas, may affect more romantic, committed views toward sex (Driesmans et al., 2016).
Research has found links between different television genres and sexual and romantic attitudes (Lippman et al., 2014; ter Bogt et al., 2010; Vandenbosch & Beyens, 2014). What is not yet known, however, is how long sexual attitudes remain affected. This question is important since adolescence is believed to be key in shaping individual’s adult sexual trajectory (e.g., Halpern et al., 2006). The socializing role of television during adolescence may thus continue to affect individuals’ sexual lives. In this light, we examined whether adolescents’ television consumption (i.e., music videos, sitcoms, romantic dramas) can predict attitudes toward uncommitted sex 13 years later. Moreover, boys are known to be socialized toward a more permissive sexuality, while girls especially learn about the importance of romantic relationships (Tolman et al., 2017). As such, the link between exposure to music videos and sitcoms and positive attitudes toward uncommitted sex may be stronger for males than females, whereas the reverse may be true for the link with romantic dramas.
Survey data were collected from 442 adolescents (49.1% female) in three waves from 2002 to 2004 and a follow-up wave in 2017 when they had become adults; Mage (W4) = 27.90, SD = 1.66. The three TV variables, representing average exposure across the first three waves, were included in a regression analysis along with sexual attitudes during adolescence (W3), sexual attitudes of parents and peers (both W3), age, and gender. The results (Table 1) showed that exposure to romantic dramas during adolescence negatively predicted attitudes toward uncommitted sex in W4. No other TV variables or the interactions effects with gender were significant.
No support was found for the link between music videos or sitcoms and uncommitted attitudes. Romantic dramas did predict less positive attitudes toward uncommitted sex. A recently introduced theory suggests that sexual media content is likely to positively impact short-term views toward sexual gratification, such as uncommitted attitudes (Leonhardt et al., 2018). On the other hand, views about commitment and romance, which are more prevalent in romantic dramas, are more related to long-term sexual views (Leonhardt et al., 2018). Our results add that TV effects on short- and long-term sexual views seem to depend of the considered time interval; only more committed views toward sex could be predicted across the 13-year interval. Future research is encouraged to consider the durability of media effects according to the type of sexual attitude that is considered.

Authors

• Laurens Vangeel, Leuven University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Laura Vandenbosch, Leuven University
  Presenting Author

• Steven Eggermont, Leuven University
  Non-Presenting Author