Abstract
Several longitudinal studies and meta-analytic reviews have demonstrated that exposure to violent media is linked to aggression
over time. However, evidence on effective interventions to reduce the use of violent media and promote critical viewing skills
is limited. The current study examined the efficacy of an intervention designed to reduce the use of media violence and aggression
in adolescence, covering a total period of about 12 months. A sample of 683 7th and 8th graders in Germany (50.1% girls) were
assigned to two conditions: a 5-week intervention and a no-intervention control group. Measures of exposure to media violence
and aggressive behavior were obtained about 3 months prior to the intervention (T1) and about 7 months post-intervention (T2).
The intervention group showed a significantly larger decrease in the use of violent media from T1 to T2 than the control group.
Participants in the intervention group also scored significantly lower on self-reported aggressive behavior (physical aggression
and relational aggression) at T2 than those in the control group, but the effect was limited to those with high levels of
initial aggression. This effect was mediated by an intervention-induced decrease in the normative acceptance of aggression.
No gender differences in program efficacy were found. The results show that a 5-week school-based intervention can produce
changes in the use of media violence, aggressive norms, and behaviors sustained over several months.
over time. However, evidence on effective interventions to reduce the use of violent media and promote critical viewing skills
is limited. The current study examined the efficacy of an intervention designed to reduce the use of media violence and aggression
in adolescence, covering a total period of about 12 months. A sample of 683 7th and 8th graders in Germany (50.1% girls) were
assigned to two conditions: a 5-week intervention and a no-intervention control group. Measures of exposure to media violence
and aggressive behavior were obtained about 3 months prior to the intervention (T1) and about 7 months post-intervention (T2).
The intervention group showed a significantly larger decrease in the use of violent media from T1 to T2 than the control group.
Participants in the intervention group also scored significantly lower on self-reported aggressive behavior (physical aggression
and relational aggression) at T2 than those in the control group, but the effect was limited to those with high levels of
initial aggression. This effect was mediated by an intervention-induced decrease in the normative acceptance of aggression.
No gender differences in program efficacy were found. The results show that a 5-week school-based intervention can produce
changes in the use of media violence, aggressive norms, and behaviors sustained over several months.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9654-6
- Authors
- Ingrid Möller, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Barbara Krahé, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Robert Busching, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Christina Krause, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891