Objective: To determine if exposure to sexy media effects adolescents’ sexual behavior. Design: In-home longitudinal study of sexual media diet and sexual behavior. Subjects & Setting: 1017 adolescents (248 white male, 264 black male, 248 white female and 262 black female were interviewed when they were in 7th or continued
Objective: To determine if exposure to sexy media effects adolescents’ sexual behavior.
Design: In-home longitudinal study of sexual media diet and sexual behavior.
Subjects & Setting: 1017 adolescents (248 white male, 264 black male, 248 white female and 262 black female were interviewed when they were in 7th or 8th grade and then again 2 years later. The average age was 13.7 at baseline. 90% of participants were interviewed in their homes.
Intervention(s): n/a
Outcome Measures: Sexual Media Diet measured sexual media exposure in television, music, magazines and movies over one month, age at first sexual intercourse, sexual experience, sexual orientation, gender, race, SES and age.
Results: 55% of white teens in the highest quintile of Sexual Media Diet reported having sexual intercourse by the age of 15. 70% of black teens in the middle and highest quintile of Sexual Media Diet reported having sexual intercourse by the age of 16. Only 6% of white teens in the lowest quintile of Sexual Media Diet reported having intercourse by 15 and 28% of black teens in the lowest quintile reported having intercourse by 16. Black teens who were older, male and experienced early puberty were more likely to experience pre-intercourse sexual activity (p<.001). White teens who were older and in a lower SES group were more likely to experience pre-intercourse sexual activity (p<.04). White teens whose parents disapproved of sexual activity and who received good grades were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Black teens whose parents disapproved of sexual activity and whose parents were more hands-on were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Increased sexual media exposure significantly affected the model for white teens (p<.03) but not for black teens.
Conclusions: Adolescents who are exposed to more sexual media are more likely to engage in sexual activity and at a younger age. This is especially true for white adolescents and is less true for black adolescents. © Center on Media and Child Healthreturn
CMCH Synopsis:
A group of black and white teenagers were interviewed about how often they saw sex in magazines, music, movies and television. They were interviewed again 2 years later to see if they were sexually active. Researchers found that teenagers who were exposed to the most sexual media content were most likely to be sexually active 2 years later (15-16 years old). This was especially true for black teenagers. Parent influence was also an important factor in sexual activity. © Center on Media and Child Health
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Age Group:
Adolescence (13-17 yrs)
Study Design:
Correlational Study
Source of Funding:
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development