Emerging Adults' Responses to Active Mediation of Pornography During Adolescence

Abstract

Concern about the influence of pornography on adolescents and emerging adults is growing due to widespread access to pornography. Past research shows that parent–child conversations about media content can alter the extent and effects of exposure to media content. This study, therefore, explored the predictors of negative active mediation of pornography—parent–child conversations that are critical of pornography—as well as the relationship between negative active mediation delivered during adolescence and emerging adults' pornography use, attitudes about pornography, and self-esteem of those whose sexual partner regularly views pornography. Results revealed that the inverse relationship between negative active mediation and emerging adults' pornography use was mediated by attitudes about pornography and that active mediation protected the self-esteem of those whose sexual partner regularly views pornography. These findings suggest that active mediation of pornography may be one way to reduce negative indirect effects of pornography exposure and prevent future pornography use.

Keywords::

• parental mediation
• children
• media
• pornography
• attitudes
• active mediation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eric E Rasmussen

Eric E Rasmussen, PhD is an assistant professor of public relations in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University. His research focuses on children and media. He is specifically interested in parental mediation and why/how parent–child conversations about the media influence children at different developmental stages in various ways. College of Media & Communication, Texas Tech University, Box 43082, Lubbock, TX 79409-3082, USA. Tel: [phone]. Email: [email protected]

Rebecca R. Ortiz

Rebecca R. Ortiz, PhD is an assistant professor of advertising in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University. Her research is focused in the areas of health communication, social marketing, entertainment media effects, and representations of sexuality in the media. Her work is particularly focused on narrative processing, adolescent and young adult populations, and sexual health issues. College of Media & Communication, Texas Tech University, Box 43082, Lubbock, TX 79409-3082, USA. Tel: [phone]. Email: [email protected]

Shawna R. White

Shawna White, MA is a doctoral student and graduate part-time instructor in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University. Her research focuses on children and media. She is interested in how the media and parental communication can be combined to encourage sexual health in adolescents, specifically in terms of the emotional and psychological aspects of sexual health. College of Media & Communication, Texas Tech University, Box 43082, Lubbock, TX 79409-3082, USA. Email: [email protected]