Abstract
The present study explores whether gender and maternal attachment moderate the relationship between television viewing and
adolescents’ sexual and gender stereotypical attitudes. A quantitative survey was conducted among 1,026 Belgian adolescents
in a targeted sample of nine schools (Mean age = 16.3). Findings show that greater exposure to television among boys and lower maternal attachment among boys and girls
is associated with more liberal and stereotypical sexual attitudes. While maternal attachment has a buffering effect on the
relationship between television viewing and sexual attitudes among girls, maternal attachment has a risk-increasing effect
among boys. Further research is needed to explore more fully the emergence of gender differences in the influence of maternal
attachment and television viewing on adolescents’ sexual development.
adolescents’ sexual and gender stereotypical attitudes. A quantitative survey was conducted among 1,026 Belgian adolescents
in a targeted sample of nine schools (Mean age = 16.3). Findings show that greater exposure to television among boys and lower maternal attachment among boys and girls
is associated with more liberal and stereotypical sexual attitudes. While maternal attachment has a buffering effect on the
relationship between television viewing and sexual attitudes among girls, maternal attachment has a risk-increasing effect
among boys. Further research is needed to explore more fully the emergence of gender differences in the influence of maternal
attachment and television viewing on adolescents’ sexual development.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-0075-5
- Authors
- Laura Vandenbosch, Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Parkstraat 45, PO box 3603, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Steven Eggermont, Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Parkstraat 45, PO box 3603, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025