Longitudinal relations between parental media monitoring and adolescent aggression, prosocial behavior, and externalizing problems

Keywords

Parental mediation, Parental monitoring, Media, Prosocial behavior, Aggression, Externalizing problems+

Abstract

The current study examined longitudinal relations between parental media monitoring and adolescent behavior, and explored indirect effects via sympathy and self-regulation. A sample of adolescents and their mothers from Northwestern and Mountain West cities in the USA participated in a study at three time points, approximately one year apart (N = 681; M age of child at Time 3 = 13.33, SD = 1.06; 51% female; 73% European American, 9% African American, 17% Multi-ethnic). Though findings varied by reporter, results suggested that restrictive and active media monitoring were indirectly associated with adolescents' prosocial behavior, aggression, and externalizing behavior, with restrictive monitoring being somewhat maladaptive and active monitoring adaptive. The discussion focuses on the need to examine multiple aspects of media monitoring, and highlights implications of findings for parents.

Original Publication Citation

Padilla-Walker, L. M., Coyne, S. M., & *Collier, K. (2016). Longitudinal relations between parental media monitoring and adolescent aggression, prosocial behavior, and externalizing problems. Journal of Adolescence, 46, 86-97.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-2

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5170

Publisher

Journal of Adolescence

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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