Examining the relation between media engagement and developmental outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults: an exploration of engagement with and impact of young adult literature media among youth

Research has shown that media engagement among youth is linked to behavioral and attitudinal developmental processes through a process of social learning and that identification with media characters often results in increased learning from the characters, resulting in greater media-related effects (Dubow, Huesmann, & Greenwood, 2007; Kunkel et. al., 2007). Less is known about how these effects differ across media platforms, specifically when considering literature media for youth, which has been on the rise since the late 2000’s. The following dissertation research examines how different types of media differentially impact youth development, and specifically explores the effects of young adult (YA) literature media on emerging adult development. In the first study, with a sample of 200 10th grade students (44% male, 90% Nonwhite), I explore how character identification with violent media characters in movies and video games relates to different types of aggression in a sample of high schoolers, examining the relations between race/gender, identification, and aggression. In the second study, I explore how engagement and identification with two different yet popular series, in both print and audiovisual format, relate to acceptance of dating violence and insecure attachment styles among a sample of 204 young undergraduate students (80% female; 87% Nonwhite). The final study is a longitudinal project that examines literature media engagement specifically, and how this relates to behavioral, social, and identity formation development. Over 200 undergraduate students (78% female; 81% Nonwhite) participated in a two-wave study over the course of one semester. A newly developed survey on reading habits and preferences, as well questions related to peer and romantic relations, health-risk behavior, and identity processes was administered. The study is the first of its kind in examining how literature impacts development, specifically emerging adult development, and focuses particular attention to peer and romantic relationships, risk behaviors, and identity exploration. I find that emerging adults are prominent readers of young adult literature, and that themes and genres chosen by these readers are likely to impact developmental and behavioral outcomes. I also find that the strength of identification with media characters moderates these relationships. Implications are discussed.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference