The role of rap music on norms and sexual behavior among preadolescents & early adolescents

This dissertation investigated the role of mainstream rap music on adolescent sexual behavior using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The first paper examined the sexual norms in mainstream rap music content using thematic analysis of Billboard Top Rap Charts from years 2001-2011. In the second paper, multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the longitudinal association between hours listening to rap music and sexual initiation at follow among preadolescents. The third and final paper examined if perceived peer behavior mediated the relationship between hours listening to rap music and sexual initiation. Findings from this dissertation suggest the need for more research the influence of peer norms, rap music norms and user characteristics