Abstract

Although parents in television are often depicted in negative patterns, little to no research has empirically examined the effect of viewing these depictions of parent efficacy and stress. The purpose of this study is to use experimental methods to assess the effect of viewing authoritative, authoritarian, and stereotypical depictions of parents in television on parental efficacy and parent stress. A sample of 122 parents of adolescents were randomly assigned to one of three condition groups: authoritarian, authoritative, and stereotypical. Each group watches a different clip from a television show, and then reported on their comparison of themselves against the parents depicted in the television clip. Parents then answered questions assessing parent efficacy and parent stress. Results revealed that there were no differences in levels of parent efficacy and parent stress based on condition, and a SEM analysis did not find that social comparison served as a meaningful mediator for the relationship between television depiction of parents (condition group) and either parent efficacy or parent stress. Parents did, however, engage in social comparison differently based on their condition group. These findings indicate that portrayals of parents in media do not affect parent efficacy or parent stress for parents of adolescents.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

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