Maternal Attachment and Television Viewing in Adolescents’ Sexual Socialization: Differential Associations Across Gender
- Laura Vandenbosch,
- Steven Eggermont
- … show all 2 hide
Purchase on Springer.com
$39.95 / €34.95 / £29.95 *
* Final gross prices may vary according to local VAT.
Abstract
The present study explores whether gender and maternal attachment moderate the relationship between television viewing and adolescents’ sexual and gender stereotypical attitudes. A quantitative survey was conducted among 1,026 Belgian adolescents in a targeted sample of nine schools (Mean age = 16.3). Findings show that greater exposure to television among boys and lower maternal attachment among boys and girls is associated with more liberal and stereotypical sexual attitudes. While maternal attachment has a buffering effect on the relationship between television viewing and sexual attitudes among girls, maternal attachment has a risk-increasing effect among boys. Further research is needed to explore more fully the emergence of gender differences in the influence of maternal attachment and television viewing on adolescents’ sexual development.
Look
Inside
Within this Article
- Introduction
- Method
- Results
- Discussion
- References
- References
Related Content
Supplementary Material (0)
References (85)
- Abbey, A. (1982). Sex differences in attributions for friendly behavior: Do males misperceive females’ friendliness? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 830–838. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.42.5.830. CrossRef
- Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park: Sage.
- Alexander, A. (1985). Adolescents’ soap opera viewing and relational perceptions. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 29, 295–308. CrossRef
- Allen, J. P., McElhaney, K. B., Kuperminc, G. P., & Jodl, K. M. (2004). Stability and change in attachment security across adolescence. Child Development, 75, 1792–1805. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00817.x. CrossRef
- Armsden, G., & Greenberg, M. (1987). The inventory of parent and peer attachment: Individual differences and their relationship to psychological well-being in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 16, 427–454. doi:10.1007/BF02202939. CrossRef
- Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communications. In J. Bryant & D. Zillmann (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (pp. 121–153). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum.
- Beentjes, H., Konig, R., & Krzeszewski, D. (2008). Muziekvideo’s en seksuele opvattingen: een enquête onder jongeren [Music videos and sexual attitudes: A survey among adolescents]. Tijdschrift voor Communicatiewetenschap, 36, 234–252. CrossRef
- Bem, S. L. (1981). Gender schema theory: A cognitive account of sex typing. Psychological Review, 88, 354–364. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.88.4.354. CrossRef
- Bischof, G., Stith, S., & Wilson, S. (1992). A comparison of the family systems of adolescent sexual offenders and nonsexual offending delinquents. Family Relations, 41, 318–323. doi:10.2307/585197. CrossRef
- Bowlby, J. (1977). The making and breaking of affectional bonds. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 130, 201–210. doi:10.1192/bjp.130.3.201. CrossRef
- Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss (Vol. 3). New York: Basic Books.
- Bozon, M., & Kontula, O. (1997). Initiation sexuelle et genre: Comparaison des évolutions de douze pays européens [Sexual initiation and gender: Comparison of changes in twelve European countries]. Population, 52, 1367–1400. doi:10.2307/1534632. CrossRef
- Brown, J. D., L’Engle, K. L., Pardun, C. J., Guo, G., Kenneavy, K., & Jackson, C. (2006). Sexy media matter: Exposure to sexual content in music, movies, television, and magazines predicts black white adolescents’ sexual behavior. Pediatrics, 117, 1018–1027. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-1406. CrossRef
- Brutsaert, H. (1999). Coeducation and gender identity formation: A comparative analysis of secondary schools in Belgium. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 20, 343–353. doi:10.1080/01425699995308. CrossRef
- Buckingham, D., & Bragg, S. (2004). Young people, sex and the media. The facts of life? London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Bussey, K., & Bandura, A. (1999). Social cognitive theory of gender development and differentiation. Psychological Review, 106, 675–713. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.106.4.676. CrossRef
- Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (2003). HIV/AIDS surveillance in adolescents. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/slides/adolescents/index.htm
- Chapin, J. R. (2000). Adolescent sex and mass media: A developmental approach. Adolescence, 35, 799–811.
- Claes, M. (1998). Adolescents’ closeness with parents, siblings, and friends in three countries: Canada, Belgium, and Italy. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 27, 165–184. doi:0047-2891/98/0400-0165J15.00/0. CrossRef
- Cohen, J. (2001). Defining identification: A theoretical look at the identification of audiences with media characters. Mass Communication & Society, 4, 245–264. doi:10.1207/S15327825MCS0403_01. CrossRef
- Creatsas, G. K. (1993). Sexuality: Sexual activity and contraception during adolescence. Current Opinion in Obsterics and Gynecology, 5, 774–783.
- Dawson, J. F., & Richter, A. W. (2006). Probing three-way interactions in moderated multiple regression: Development and application of a slope difference test. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91, 917–926. doi:10.1016/S0021-9010(06)61901-8. CrossRef
- De Bens, E., & de Smaele, H. (2001). The inflow of American television fiction on European broadcasting channels revisited. European Journal of Communication, 16, 51–76. doi:10.1177/0267323101016001003. CrossRef
- De Bens, E., Kelly, M., & Bakke, M. (1992). Television content: Dallasification of culture. In K. Siune & W. Truetzschler (Eds.), Dynamics of media politics (pp. 73–100). London: Sage.
- De Gaston, J. F., & Weed, S. (1996). Understanding gender differences in adolescent sexuality. Adolescence, 31, 217–230.
- Dittus, P. J., & Jaccard, J. (2000). Adolescents ‘perceptions of maternal disapproval of sex: Relationship to sexual outcomes. Journal of Adolescent Health, 26, 268–278. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(99)00096-8. CrossRef
- Doyle, A. B., Lawford, H., & Markiewicz, D. (2009). Attachment style with mother, father, best friend, and romantic partner during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 19, 690–714. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00617.x. CrossRef
- Durham, M. G. (1999). Girls, media, and the negotiation of sexuality: a study of race, class, and gender in adolescent peer groups. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 76, 193–216. CrossRef
- Eggermont, S. (2004). Television viewing, perceived similarity, and adolescents’ expectations of a romantic partner. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 48, 244–265. doi:10.1207/s15506878jobem4802_5. CrossRef
- Eggermont, S. (2006). The impact of television viewing on adolescents’ sexual socialization. (Doctoral dissertation). Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Epstein, M., & Ward, L. M. (2008). “Always use protection”: Communication boys receive about sex from parents, peers and the media. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 113–126. doi:10.1007/s10964-007-9187-1. CrossRef
- Epstein, M., & Ward, L. M. (2011). Exploring parent-adolescent communication about gender: Results from adolescent and emerging adult samples. Sex Roles, 65, 108–118. doi:10.1007/s11199-011-9975-7. CrossRef
- Eyal, K., & Finnerty, K. (2009). The portrayal of sexual intercourse on television: how, who, and with what consequence? Mass Communication & Society, 12, 143–169. doi:10.1080/15205430802136713. CrossRef
- Farrar, K., Kunkel, D., Biely, E., Eyal, K., Fandrich, R., & Donnerstein, E. (2003). Sexual messages during prime-time programming. Sexuality & Culture, 7(3), 7–37. doi:10.1007/s12119-003-1001-y. CrossRef
- Fasula, A. M., & Miller, K. S. (2006). African-American and Hispanic adolescents’ intentions to delay first intercourse: parental communication as a buffer for sexually active peers. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38, 193–200. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.12.009. CrossRef
- Field, A. (2006). Discovering statistics using SPSS. London: Sage.
- Fingerson, L. (2005). Do mothers’ opinion matter in teens’ sexual activity? Journal of Family Issues, 26, 947–974. doi:10.1177/0192513X04272758. CrossRef
- Fisher, D. A., Hill, D. L., Grube, J. W., Bersamin, M. M., Walker, S., & Gruber, E. L. (2009). Televised sexual content and parental mediation: influences on adolescent sexuality. Media Psychology, 12, 121–147. doi:10.1080/15213260902849901. CrossRef
- Frederickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. A. (1997). Objectification Theory: Toward understanding women’s lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21, 173–206. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x. CrossRef
- Fromme, R. E., & Emihovich, C. (1998). Sexuality, and prevention boys will be boys: Young males’ perceptions of women. Education and Urban Society, 30, 172–188. doi:10.1177/0013124598030002003. CrossRef
- Galambos, N. L., Almeida, D. M., & Petersen, A. C. (1990). Masculinity, feminity, and sex role attitudes in early adolescence: Exploring gender intensification. Child Development, 61, 1905–1914. doi:10.2307/1130846. CrossRef
- Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (Eds.). (1992). Multivariate data analysis. New York: Macmillan.
- Hendrick, S., & Hendrick, C. (1987). Multidimensionality of sex attitudes. Journal of Sex Research, 23, 502–526. doi:10.1080/00224498709551387. CrossRef
- Huesmann, L. R. (1988). An information processing model for the development of aggression. Aggressive Behavior, 14, 13–24. doi:10.1002/1098-2337(1988)14:1<13::AID-AB2480140104>3.0.CO;2-J. CrossRef
- Johnson, C. B., Stockdale, M. S., & Saal, F. E. (1991). Persistence of men’s misinterpretations of friendly cues across a variety of interpersonal encounters. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 15, 463–475. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1991.tb00421.x. CrossRef
- Kaestle, C. E., Halpern, C. T., & Brown, J. D. (2007). Music videos, pro wrestling, and acceptance of date rape among middle school males and females: An exploratory analysis. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, 185–187. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.08.010. CrossRef
- Kalof, L. (1999). The effects of gender and music video imagery on sexual attitudes. The Journal of Social Psychology, 139, 378–385. doi:10.1080/00224549909598393. CrossRef
- Kim, J. L., Sorsoli, L., Colins, K., Zylbergols, B. A., Schooler, D., & Tolman, D. L. (2007). From sex to sexuality: Exposing the heterosexual script on primetime network television. Journal of Sex Research, 44, 145–157. doi:10.1080/00224490701263660. CrossRef
- Krahé, B., Scheinberger-Olwig, R., & Kolpin, S. (2000). Ambiguous communication of sexual intentions and the prediction of sexual aggression. Sex Roles, 42, 313–337. doi:10.1023/A:1007080303569. CrossRef
- Kunkel, D., Farrar, K. M., Eyal, K., Biely, E., & Donnerstein, E. (2007). Sexual socialization messages on entertainment television: Comparing content trends 1997–2002. Media Psychology, 9, 599–622. doi:10.1080/15213260701283210. CrossRef
- Laible, D. (2007). Attachment with parents and peers in late adolescence: Links with emotional competence and social behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 1185–1197. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2007.03.010. CrossRef
- Lanis, K., & Covell, K. (1995). Images of women in advertisements: Effects on attitudes related to sexual aggression. Sex Roles, 32, 639–649. doi:10.1007/BF01544216. CrossRef
- Lehr, S. T., Dilorio, C., Dudley, W. N., & Lipana, J. A. (2000). The relationship between parent- adolescent communication and safer sex behaviors in college students. Journal of Family Nursing, 6, 180–196. doi:10.1177/107484070000600206. CrossRef
- L’Engle, K. L., & Jackson, C. (2008). Socialization influences on early adolescents’ cognitive susceptibility and transition to sexual intercourse. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 18, 353–378. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2008.00563.x. CrossRef
- Lodewijckx, E. (1987). First intercourse, contraception and first pregnancy in Flanders: Changes during the past 30 years. Journal of Biosocial Science, 19, 439–452. doi:10.1017/S0021932000017089. CrossRef
- Lottes, I. L., & Kuriloff, P. J. (1994). Sexual socialization differences by gender, Greek membership, ethnicity and religious background. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 18, 203–219. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1994.tb00451.x. CrossRef
- Manning, W. D., Longmore, M. A., & Giordano, P. C. (2005). Adolescent’s involvement in non-romantic sexual activity. Social Science Research, 34, 384–407. doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2004.03.001. CrossRef
- Markham, C. M., Lormand, D., Gloppen, K. M., Peskin, M. F., Flores, B., Low, B., et al. (2010). Connectedness as a predictor of sexual and reproductive health outcomes for youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46, S23–S41. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.11.214. CrossRef
- Martino, S., Collins, R., Kanouse, D., Elliot, M., & Berry, S. (2005). Social cognitive processes mediating the relationship between exposure to television’s sexual content and adolescent’s sexual behaviour. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 914–924. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.89.6.914. CrossRef
- Miller, B. C., Brenson, B., & Galbraith, K. A. (2001). Family relationships and adolescent pregnancy risk: A research synthesis. Developmental Review, 21, 1–38. doi:10.1006/drev.2000.0513. CrossRef
- Moore, J. N., Raymond, M. A., Mittelstaedt, J. D., & Tanner, J. F. (2002). Age and consumer socialization agent influences on adolescents’ sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behavior: Implications for social marketing initiatives and public policy. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 21, 37–52. doi:10.1509/jppm.21.1.37.17612. CrossRef
- Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2006). Adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit material on the internet. Communication Research, 33, 178–204. doi:10.1177/0093650205285369. CrossRef
- Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2010). Processes underlying the effects of adolescents’ use of sexually explicit internet material: The role of perceived realism. Communication Research, 37, 375–399. doi:10.1177/0093650210362464. CrossRef
- Reiss, I. A. (1956). The double standard in premarital sexual intercourse: A neglected concept. Social Forces, 34, 224–230. doi:10.2307/2574041. CrossRef
- Rivadeneyra, R., & Lebo, M. J. (2008). The association between television-viewing behaviors and adolescent dating role attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Adolescence, 31, 291–305. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.06.001. CrossRef
- Rosenthal, D., Moore, S., & Flynn, I. (1991). Adolescent self-efficacy, self-esteem and sexual-risk taking. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 1, 77–88. doi:10.1002/casp.2450010203. CrossRef
- Schoentjes, E., Deboutte, D., & Friedrich, W. (1999). Child sexual behavior inventory: A Dutch-speaking normative sample. Pediatrics, 104, 885–893. doi:10.1542/peds.104.4.885. CrossRef
- Schooler, D., Sorsoli, C. L., Kim, J. L., & Tolman, D. L. (2009). Beyond exposure: A person-oriented approach to adolescent media diets. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 19, 484–508. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00604.x. CrossRef
- Sensoa. (2011). Seksualiteit, ontwikkeling en adolescenten [Sexuality, development and adolescence]. Retrieved from http://www.sensoa.be/1_1_1_2.php.
- Serbin, L., Powlishta, K. K., Gulko, J., Martin, C. L., & Lockheed, M. E. (1993). The development of sex typing in middle childhood. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 58(2), 1–95. doi:10.2307/1166118. CrossRef
- Sigal, J., Gibbs, M., Adams, B., & Derfler, R. (1988). The effect of romantic and non-romantic films on perception of female friendly and seductive behavior. Sex Roles, 19, 545–554. doi:10.1007/BF00289734. CrossRef
- Smirles, K. E. (2004). Attributions of responsibility in cases of sexual harassment: The person and the situation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 34, 342–365. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2004.tb02551.x. CrossRef
- Snell, W. E., Jr. (1998). The Stereotypes about Male Sexuality Scale. In C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarber, R. Baurerman, G. Schreer, & S. L. Davis (Eds.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures: A compendium (2nd ed., pp. 463–465). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Strouse, J. S., Buerkel-Rothfuss, N., & Long, E. C. J. (1995). Gender and family as moderators of the relationship between music video exposure and adolescent sexual permissiveness. Adolescence, 30, 505–520.
- Taris, T. W., & Semin, G. R. (1998). How mother’s parenting styles affect their children’s sexual efficacy and experience. The Journal of Generic Psychology, 159, 68–81. doi:10.1080/00221329809596135. CrossRef
- Tolman, D. L., Striepe, M. I., & Harmon, T. (2003). Gender matters: Constructing a model of adolescent sexual health. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 4–12. doi:10.1080/00224490309552162. CrossRef
- Vervloessem, D., Vandenbosch, L., & Eggermont, S. (2011, March). Sexual acts and sexual suggestions on music channels: A content analysis. Master seminar on design and implementation of codebooks for qualitative and quantitative content analysis, Brussels.
- Ward, L. M. (1995). Talking about sex: Common themes about sexuality in the prime-time television programs children and adolescents view most. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 24, 595–615. doi:10.1007/BF01537058. CrossRef
- Ward, L. M. (2003). Understanding the role of entertainment media in the sexual socialization of American youth: a review of empirical research. Developmental Review, 23, 347–388. doi:10.1016/S0273-2297(03)00013-3. CrossRef
- Ward, L. M., & Friedman, K. (2006). Using TV as a guide: Associations between television viewing and adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behavior. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 161, 133–156. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2006.00125.x. CrossRef
- Ward, L. M., & Rivadeneyra, R. (1999). Contributions of entertainment television to adolescents’ sexual attitudes and expectations: The role of viewing amount versus viewer involvement. Journal of Sex Research, 36, 237–249. doi:10.1080/00224499909551994. CrossRef
- Ward, T., Hudson, S. M., Johnston, L., & Marshall, W. L. (1997). Cognitive distortions in sex offenders: An integrative review. Clinical Psychology Review, 17, 479–507. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(97)81034-3. CrossRef
- Weinstock, H., Berman, S., & Cates, W. (2004). Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36, 6–10. doi:10.1363/3600604. CrossRef
- Zhang, Y., Miller, L. E., & Harrison, K. (2008). The relationship between exposure to sexual music videos and young adults’ sexual attitudes. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 52, 368–386. doi:10.1080/08838150802205462. CrossRef
- Zurbriggen, E. L., & Morgan, E. M. (2006). Who wants to marry a millionaire? Reality dating television programs, attitudes toward sex, and sexual behaviors. Sex Roles, 54, 1–17. doi:10.1007/s11199-005-8865-2. CrossRef
About this Article
- Title
- Maternal Attachment and Television Viewing in Adolescents’ Sexual Socialization: Differential Associations Across Gender
- Journal
-
Sex Roles
Volume 66, Issue 1-2 , pp 38-52 - Cover Date
- 2012-01-01
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11199-011-0075-5
- Print ISSN
- 0360-0025
- Online ISSN
- 1573-2762
- Publisher
- Springer US
- Additional Links
- Topics
- Keywords
-
- Television viewing
- Maternal attachment
- Sexual stereotypes
- Adolescent
- Gender
- Authors
-
-
Laura Vandenbosch
(1)
-
Steven Eggermont
(1)
-
Laura Vandenbosch
- Author Affiliations
-
- 1. Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Parkstraat 45, PO box 3603, 3000, Leuven, Belgium