Adolescent potential to harm and prevailing antecedents: exposure to mass media, substance use, and self-evaluation, 2000

This study examined the potential to commit harm by youth aged 11-16 in relation to the mass media, substance use, and self-evaluation. A questionnaire was designed to examine selected variables associated with youth who commit harm to others. The research sample consisted of 186 students who attended an elementary school and a middle school located in a southern metropolitan area. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data collected. The research indicated that two of the three hypotheses tested were statistically significant including substance use and self-evaluation. There was no statistically significant relationship for self-evaluation and mass media. Although there was not a statistically significant relationship regarding mass media, it can be concluded from the data that adolescents' behaviors are somewhat affected by their daily viewing of television. An important implication of this study is not just the need for further research, but also the need for an enhanced focus on practical solutions to reverse the observed potential to harm others. Previous literature on adolescents and their potential to harm others has explored an array of factors; however, a decrease in youth violence continues to be a most challenging goal for all involved in juvenile rehabilitation and resocialization