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Reciprocal Relationships Between Music Television Exposure and Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors: The Role of Perceived Peer Norms

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Abstract

A three-wave panel study (2010–2011) was conducted among 515 adolescents in Belgium (Flanders) (mean age = 14.07) to examine the role of perceived male and female peer norms in the reciprocal relationship between music television exposure and sexual behavior. Structural equation models revealed several unexpected findings. First, the previously reported reciprocal relationships between sexual behavior and sexual media use appears to be dependent on the gender of the adolescent. It was found that music television exposure directly affected sexual behavior in boys, while, the reverse effect, the direct influence of sexual behavior on music television exposure, was found among girls. Second, results showed an indirect impact of sexual behavior on boys’ and girls’ music television exposure through perceptions of male peers’ sexual behavior. More specifically, sexually active boys and girls were demonstrated to believe that many of their male and female peers were also sexually active; however, among boys, the perceptions of the sexual activities of same-gender peers resulted in increased music television exposure, whereas among girls, the perceptions of the sexual activities of male peers resulted in decreased music television exposure. The discussion focuses on the explanation and understanding of these (unexpected) findings in the context of gender differences in sexual socialization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Eline Frison, Jolien Trekels & Steven Eggermont

  2. The Amsterdam School of Communication Research, ASCoR, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Laura Vandenbosch

Authors
  1. Eline Frison
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  2. Laura Vandenbosch
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  3. Jolien Trekels
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  4. Steven Eggermont
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven Eggermont.

Appendix

Appendix

English Translation of Scales and Items Used in the Questionnaire

Scale measuring music television exposure.

How often do you watch the following music television channels?

 

Never

Almost never

1 to several times per year

1 to 2 times per month

1 to 2 \times per week

3 to 4 times per week

(almost) Every day

1. TMF

       

2. JIM tv

       

3. MTV

       

Scale measuring perceptions of male peers’ sexual activities.

  1. 1.

    How often do boys of your age experience deep kissing?

  2. 2.

    How often do boys of your age experience nakedness with their girl/boyfriends?

  3. 3.

    How often do boys of your age masturbate?

  4. 4.

    How often do boys of your age engage in full intercourse?

Scale measuring perceptions of female peers’ sexual activities.

  1. 1.

    How often do girls of your age experience deep kissing?

  2. 2.

    How often do girls of your age experience nakedness with their boy/girlfriends?

  3. 3.

    How often do girls of your age masturbate?

  4. 4.

    How often do girls of your age engage in full intercourse?

Scale measuring sexual behavior.

  1. 1.

    Have you ever experienced deep kissing?

  2. 2.

    Boy: Have you ever touched the breasts of a girl?

Girl: Have you ever had your breasts touched by a boy?

  1. 3.

    Have you ever touched the sexual organs of your partner?

  2. 4.

    Have you ever engaged in full intercourse?

Original Language of Scales and Items Used in the Questionnaire

Scale measuring music television exposure.

1. Hoe vaak kijk je naar volgende muziekzenders?

 

Nooit

Bijna nooit

1 of meerdere keren per jaar

1 à 2 keer per maand

1 à 2 keer per week

3 à 4 keer per week

(bijna) Elke dag

1. TMF

       

2. JIM tv

       

3. MTV

       

Scale measuring perceptions of male peers’ sexual activities.

  1. 1.

    Hoe vaak tongkussen jongens van jouw leeftijd?

  2. 2.

    Hoe vaak zijn jongens van jouw leeftijd samen met hun vriend(in) bloot?

  3. 3.

    Hoe vaak masturberen jongens van jouw leeftijd?

  4. 4.

    Hoe vaak hebben jongens van jouw leeftijd echt seks?

Scale measuring perceptions of female peers’ sexual activities.

  1. 1.

    Hoe vaak tongkussen meisjes van jouw leeftijd?

  2. 2.

    Hoe vaak zijn meisjes van jouw leeftijd samen met hun nin) bloot?

  3. 3.

    Hoe vaak masturberen meisjes van jouw leeftijd?

  4. 4.

    Hoe vaak hebben meisjes van jouw leeftijd echt seks?

Scale measuring sexual behavior.

  1. 1.

    Heb je ooit al getongkust?

  2. 2.

    Jongen: Heb je ooit al de borsten aangeraakt van een meisje?

Meisje: Zijn jouw borsten ooit al aangeraakt door een jongen?

  1. 3.

    Heb je ooit al de geslachtsdelen van je lief aangeraakt?

  2. 4.

    Heb je ooit al seks gehad?

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Frison, E., Vandenbosch, L., Trekels, J. et al. Reciprocal Relationships Between Music Television Exposure and Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors: The Role of Perceived Peer Norms. Sex Roles 72, 183–197 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-015-0454-4

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