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Consumers are often exposed to subtle and blatant product placements as they watch a variety of evening television shows. In addition, as they watch, consumers' self-regulatory resources are expected to be "depleted" following a typical day at work and/or home (Baumeister, Heatherton, and Tice 1994). Connecting these two ideas, the current study tests whether ego depletion moderates the impact of subtle versus blatant product placements on viewers' brand recognition and brand attitudes. Using experimenter-generated television pilots as stimuli, the findings of our empirical investigation indicate that viewers are less likely to recognize being exposed to subtly placed than to blatantly placed brands, and this difference is magnified by ego depletion. In addition, when viewers are not depleted, blatant placements lead to more favorable attitudes than subtle placements. When viewers are in a depleted state, however, subtle placements lead to more favorable attitudes than blatant placements. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on context effects has demonstrated a link between program-induced involvement and recall of commercials broadcast in breaks. However, the effect of program-induced involvement on recall of advertising embedded in the program itself has been understudied. In addition, little consideration has been given to the antecedents of program involvement. The present study aims to address these gaps. Results from a naturalistic field study show an attention spillover effect on both embedded and successive advertising. The results further demonstrate that program involvement is a function of various personal factors, related to enduring topic involvement and social viewing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research contributes to the extant literature on television influence by pairing a stimulus-side approach documenting how information is presented within a television series with a response-side assessment of whether connectedness and exposure to a series influence the processing of that information differently depending on its format. The inquiry focuses on the nature and impact of messages about alcohol contained within a youth-oriented television program. The findings indicate that the recall and perception of the more overt negative messages increase with exposure and that receptiveness to the subtle and less remembered positive messages increases with levels of program connectedness. Highly connected viewers are both more receptive to and in greater agreement with the underlying positive alcohol message communicated in the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has linked materialism to lower well‐being in children, and recent findings suggest that this link is heightened among those exposed to high levels of advertising. One proposal is that children may be pursuing consumer culture ideals (CCIs) – orienting to material possessions and physical appearance – as a maladaptive coping strategy for dealing with underlying distress. The present work offers the first direct evaluation of this theoretically plausible hypothesis. In Study 1, higher scores on our measure of consumer‐focused coping (CFC) not only predicted lower well‐being in a sample of 109 9‐ to 11‐year‐olds, but also served as mediator in the indirect link between the number of hours spent watching television and lower well‐being. Study 2 tested our expanded model of these processes in a sample of 380 9‐ to 11‐year‐olds. Specifically, structural equation modelling revealed that frequency of watching commercial (advertising‐rich) television in particular predicted greater CFC. This, in turn, predicted greater endorsement of CCIs, which then predicted lower well‐being. Implications for theoretical models and educational interventions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newer video technologies such as smart TVs and web streaming applications have radically altered how audiences consume televised content. Using an online, national survey (N = 790), this study identified five motivational factors for modern television viewing, most notably the need for relaxing entertainment. In addition, patterns of ritualistic and instrumental viewing were identified. Audience activity facilitated by the technological affordances of newer streaming technology was associated with both satisfaction with and affinity for the television medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify predictors associated with television (TV) watching during family meals. Parents of racially and ethnically diverse 5- to 7-year-old children (n = 150) completed 8 days of ecological momentary assessment surveys. After each meal they shared with their child, parents answered meal-related questions (eg, who was present). Adjusted generalized estimating equations were used to estimate probabilities of watching TV during family meals for individual predictors. Number of adults present, location, outside influences (eg, planned meal, stress), and time to prepare the meal were independently predictive of TV watching during the meal (P <.001). Results of the current study suggest that families may need assistance in addressing predictors (eg, stress) associated with watching TV during family meals, given prior research has shown watching TV during family meals is associated with negative dietary outcomes. Future research might investigate other factors that may also influence watching TV at family meals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morality plays an integral role in perceiving and judging fictional characters since liking morally good characters leads to a general enjoyment of the narrative if the outcomes of actions are favorable for the liked character. However, some fictional characters frequently violate moral standards but are still popular at the same time. To explain this paradox, the present study offers a two-process model on the appeal of morally ambiguous characters, proposing psychological mechanisms leading to either enjoyment or appreciation. These mechanisms were tested based on an online survey (N = 429) examining four different television series which featured morally ambiguous protagonists. Findings largely supported the notion that while liking the character leads to enjoyment, social comparison processes (based on moral principles) were associated with appreciation. This study extends findings of previous investigations by offering a more comprehensive understanding of how morally complex narratives can lead to entertainment experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of how fictional television shapes people's expectations about the moral workings of the real world, relying on cultivation theory and models of narrative and moral effects as theoretical frameworks. Using a cross-sectional sample of the general German adult population, this study investigated the relationship between television viewing time (overall television and three genres—crime drama, medical drama, sitcoms) and narrative engageability with three idealistic moral expectations (just world beliefs, professional altruism of doctors, tolerance of otherness). Although genre viewing was not related to idealistic moral expectations, overall television viewing and narrative engageability proved to have consistent positive relationships. Results indicate that television viewing, the audience's eagerness to engage with narratives (narrative engageability), and moral expectations about the real world are intertwined and mutually dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While it has been well established that breastfeeding provides the best nourishment for children, few women achieve the recommended breastfeeding duration. Negative media messages have been identified as one explanation for the lack of individual and public support for breastfeeding. This study explored the influence of media on the knowledge and attitudes of a nearly childless population to ascertain if and how entertainment media can positively impact perceptions of breastfeeding. Using cultivation and parasocial interaction, this research measured entertainment television's effect on breastfeeding attitudes using randomized-group experiments involving 375 students. Overall, participants generally held positive attitudes but were uncomfortable seeing breastfeeding. Moreover, results indicate that viewing a prime-time television clip that depicted public breastfeeding not only significantly lessened the extent to which participants believed that breastfeeding was a private activity but also improved attitudes and support for breastfeeding in public. This study concludes that more pro-breastfeeding media messages in entertainment media could help create a climate conducive to breastfeeding success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores death narratives in the popular international medical dramas Grey's Anatomy (USA), Casualty (UK), All Saints (Australia), and E.R. (USA). Using narrative analysis, we characterize death portrayals in terms of the number and causes of the deaths, the types of characters who die, the narrative structures of the deaths, and themes found within the death stories. We then compare characteristics actual patients, physicians, and caregivers identify as important in a death experience with the characteristics of deaths portrayed in medical dramas. Our narrative analysis shows that death narratives in medical dramas lack narrative fidelity with the characteristics of "good" death experiences described in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Television is a leading source of sexual education for teens and young adults, thus it is important to understand how sexual behavior and reproductive health are portrayed in popular primetime programming. This study is a media content analysis of the 19 top-rated scripted English-language primetime television shows aired between January 1, 2015 and May 31, 2015, and viewed by American youth audiences 12–24 years of age. The purpose of this study is to assess how sex/sexuality and reproductive health are being portrayed in a popular medium that reaches many adolescent and young adult audiences. Themes used for this analysis include youth pregnancy/parenting, mentoring/guidance of youth regarding sexual behavior, sex/sexuality, body image/identity, sexual violence/abuse/harassment, gender identity/sexual orientation, and reproductive health. Themes have been classified in one of the following six categories: visual cues, brief mentions, dialogue, minor storylines, major storylines, and multi-episode storylines. Our findings indicate that narratives providing educational information regarding the risks and consequences of sexual behavior were missing from the television shows we analyzed and that storylines promoting low risk sexual behavior were rare. Sexual violence and abuse, casual sex among adults, lack of contraception use, or no portrayal of consequences of risky behaviors were common. Compared to prior research, we found an emergent theme normalizing non-heterosexual gender identity and sexual orientation. Our findings have important implications as exposure to popular media shapes the perceptions and behaviors of teens and young adults. This study has the potential to shed light on the need to create stories and narratives in television shows watched by American teens and young adults with educational messages regarding the risks and consequences of sexual behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Falklands War was one of the shortest conflicts in the world's history; it had extensive effects on the British society and culture which is still controversial in some ways. Particularly, the cultural impacts were much more substantial. Furthermore, in conjunction with the opportunities of technology, apart from the other wars in the past, television brought the reality of the war to homes and people's lives. There is also little doubt that Margaret Thatcher was in favour of using television's power in order to influence the public in some ways whose reputation and confidence were boosted with the success in the Falklands War. This research will attempt to assess the television as an illusion or a tool in order to determine these cultural and remarkable effects to the whole of the society as well as the people. Furthermore, the study will focus on the language of transcription from the television to the people seem to be the most essential tool to inspire the society. Besides, there is little doubt that framing the Falklands War on the television offered the opportunity to show war's effects on society and the culture of the British people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article relates Phase II of a three phase study into the impact of television advertising on children. Part of a larger study which hopes to help shape public policy on children's television advertising, the authors surveyed a random sample of national association of elementary school guidance counselors for thir attitudes and opinions. The article summaries the findings of Phase I of the study (focus groups with counselors and educators), presents the study methodology, findings, and analysis of the guidance counselors questionnaires. The results indicate a general feeling that television advertising is potentially harmful and influential. The authors claim that public opinion of television advertising will be a large influence in policy making.

In this study, we investigate (1) the effect that "Super Bowl XX" had on the emotions (defined by arousal and pleasure) of viewers in three cities and (2) how these emotional reactions influenced recall for ads broadcast during the game. City differences in overall emotional reactions to the program were observed, differences that had theoretical relevance to the effect of emotion on ad recall. Recall was found to be negatively related to emotional intensity (defined by arousal and pleasure polarization) but unrelated to emotional pleasure. Overall, arousal related to recall much more strongly than it did to pleasure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a naturally occurring situation as a quasi-experiment, this article contrasts measures of attitude toward advertisements for groups of subjects with different potential levels of exposure to repeated airings of the ads during a four-month TV campaign. These measures were taken after several different periods of delay following subjects' exposure to the ads. The results indicate that even with all of the confounding variables that exist in a natural viewing environment, subjects' evaluations of the ads decline as levels of potential exposure increase, though those evaluations return to their initial levels after an eight-month period of no exposure. A striking result, however, is that two different measures of attitude toward the ad show very different patterns over time. The article also presents exploratory evidence on the role of the initial likability of the ad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, conducted in the Netherlands, evaluated the association between ethnic background and children’s TV viewing time at multiple time points and its trajectory. We analyzed 4,833 children with a Dutch, Moroccan, Turkish, or Surinamese ethnic background from the Generation R Study, a population-based study in the Netherlands. Parent-reported television viewing time for children at ages 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9 years was collected by questionnaires sent from April 2004 until January 2015. Odds ratios of watching television ≥1 hour/day at each age were calculated for children from the various ethnic backgrounds. Generalized logistic mixed models (GLMMs) were used to assess the association between ethnic background and television viewing time trajectory. The effect modification by family socioeconomic status was examined in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. The percentage of children viewing television ≥1 hour/day increased from age 2 to 9 years for children from all ethnic backgrounds. After adjusting for maternal educational level and net household income, children from all ethnic subgroups had greater odds of watching television ≥1 hour/day at some time points compared with children with a Dutch background (Surinamese: all ages; Moroccan: at ages 4 and 6 years; Turkish: at ages 4 and 9 years). The GLMMs indicated that television viewing trajectories differed between ethnic subgroups. The associations between ethnic background and children’s television viewing time were moderated by maternal educational level for child ages 4 and 6 years (p < 0.05). In longitudinal analyses, the ethnic differences in probability of watching television ≥1 hour/day were larger in children from high-educated mothers than in children from low-educated mothers. In conclusion, ethnic differences in television viewing time were present at all measuring time points. The discrepancy between children with a Dutch background and children with another background was larger in high maternal educational subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entertainment persuasion theory was applied to investigate how an epilogue to a dramatic episode with an educational subtext about bipolar disorder affected viewer processing and response. In an experiment, viewers (N = 89) were randomly assigned to watch the episode either with or without an epilogue. Exposure to the epilogue increased recognition of the subtext. It also increased counterarguing against the subtext, but only among viewers less involved with the episode’s story. The epilogue decreased social distance for people with bipolar disorder and decreased their belief that bipolar disorder is not treatable. These findings speak to the utility of epilogues as a tool to both reinforce intended entertainment-education messages and to combat misinformation. This function is particularly useful for entertainment portrayals of stigmatized conditions, which are at greater risk of being misunderstood. To avoid viewer reactance, epilogues should be paired with highly involving narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition which is characterized by the increase in body weight due to adipose tissue. The sedentary lives of many children and adolescents, the growing number of hours spent in front of the computer, the game console or the TV represent risk factors for obesity. The authors conducted a prospective study between the 1st of April and the 30th of June 2017, which included 38 adolescents with obesity, aged 12 to 18 years (mean age 13.7 ± 2.6 years). To evaluate the physical activity program for obese adolescents, a questionnaire was applied which focused on the impact of computer and TV use on their behaviour. The questionnaire contained 15 items referring to the computer and television exposure. The results showed that most obese adolescents do not follow the recommended daily physical activity: 94.7% prefer to spend their free time in front of the TV compared to 68.4% who prefer computer use, with negative consequences (fatigue, addiction, isolation, boredom). The factors with a significant negative influence on healthy lifestyle were urban area, age, male gender and low self-esteem, allowing the identification of risk subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of second screen presentation mode on information processing and program liking. In an experiment, 121 participants watched a television news program. One group was assigned to a dual screen condition in which participants were required to actively look up additional information on a second screen (‘look-up condition’), while a second group were assigned to a dual screen condition in which participants were directly presented with the additional information on the second screen, with no looking-up required (‘presented information condition’). In a third condition, the single-screen condition, participants merely watched the news program. Results show that second screening negatively impacts factual recognition and program liking, regardless of presentation mode. While cued recall of information was lower in the second screen conditions than in the single screen condition, participants in the condition with presented information scored significantly higher on cued recall compared to the look-up condition. Analyses show the effects can be explained by the different levels of cognitive load elicited by different presentation modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the motivations underlying viewer engagement in the rapidly growing live-streaming multimedia phenomenon. This study trialled an eight-factor socio-motivational model, based on Uses and Gratifications Theory, to explain four aspects of live-stream viewer engagement. Cross-sectional data was collected through an international, online self-report survey of Twitch users ( N  = 2227). Multiple and ordinal linear regression analyses identified six motivations which helped to explain live-stream engagement: social interaction, sense of community, meeting new people, entertainment, information seeking, and a lack of external support in real life. Compared to mass media, viewer motivations to engage in live-stream entertainment appear to have a stronger social and community basis. Furthermore, live-stream viewers who preferred smaller channels (<500 viewers) were more motivated by social engagement than viewers who preferred larger channels. These findings offer insight into the motivations for live-stream engagement, and help to lay a foundation for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the influence of media on youths’ sexual behavior in sub-Saharan Africa has focused almost entirely on the effects of multimedia health communication campaigns and edutainment programming. Scholarly literature is nearly silent about the influence of the multiple hours that young people in many sub-Saharan nations spend immersed in increasingly sex-heavy entertainment programming. We surveyed a stratified cluster sample of 437 Nairobi public high school students about motivational and parental mediation factors associated with their exposure to sexual radio and TV content. Watching sexual content in the bedroom predicted higher intake of both sexual radio and TV content. Believing that parents were successful in their efforts to limit media use predicted lower intake of both sexual radio and TV content. A friend/companion motive for watching was associated with taking in higher levels of sexual TV content. For day school students, watching sexual content in the sitting room also predicted higher levels of exposure to sexual TV content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This critical review of historical and contemporary literature explores the role of television media in the prevalence of stigma towards persons experiencing a mental health challenge. In addition to this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the notion of perceived dangerousness, which is a concept where persons with mental illness are thought by others to be inherently dangerous.Design/methodology/approach A vigorous search of databases was undertaken for articles published between 2000 and 2016. Some seminal literature prior to 2000 was used to compare historical data with current literature. In total, 1,037 publications were reviewed against inclusion criteria.Findings While mental illness stigma has received much attention in the literature, television media and public perceptions of dangerousness have not. While these concepts are complex and multi-factorial, what we do understand is that approaches to address stigma have been largely unsuccessful, and that persons experiencing mental health challenges continue to be significantly disadvantaged.Practical implications Implications to practice for clinicians working in mental health on this issue have not been adequately explored within the literature. While media guidelines assist journalists to make informed choices when they portray mental health issues in television news, there are no such guidelines to inform drama television viewing.Originality/value Significantly, television’s role in perpetuation of perceptions of dangerousness has not been adequately explored as a combined co-occurring factor associated with the stigmatisation and avoidance of persons experiencing a mental health challenge. In an era when mental health challenges are on the rise, it is of great importance that we collectively seek to minimise negative impacts and improve the experiences of those with a mental health challenge through addressing stigma both individually and in television media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical appearance comparison may make individuals more susceptible to the detrimental effects of brief media exposure on body satisfaction. However, it is unclear whether these findings would also extend to chronic media exposure in everyday life. In addition, it is unknown whether the role of appearance comparison relative to media and body dissatisfaction differs between genders. This study examined trait physical appearance comparison as a moderator of the relationships between television and Internet exposure and appearance evaluation and body area satisfaction. Male (n = 137) and female (n = 335) undergraduates completed self-report measures of trait physical appearance comparison, television and Internet consumption, appearance evaluation, and body area satisfaction. Among women, appearance comparison moderated the relationship between television exposure and appearance evaluation, such that those who engaged in more appearance comparison and viewed more television had a more negative evaluation of their appearance. Among men, appearance comparison moderated the relationship between Internet use and body area dissatisfaction, such that those who engaged in more appearance comparison and spent a significant amount of time on the Internet had greater body area dissatisfaction. These results suggest that appearance comparison represents a vulnerability for experiencing body dissatisfaction from media exposure, contingent on media format and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint associations of dietary pattern and television viewing with risk factors of CVD among urban adults in China. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among urban adults in Nanjing, China. Five dietary patterns were identified based on a FFQ. Television time was obtained from a standard questionnaire and further classified into two categories (≤7, >7 h/week). Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the OR and 95 % CI for the separate and joint associations of dietary patterns and television viewing with CVD risk factors. Compared with other dietary patterns, participants who followed the healthy traditional pattern had a lower likelihood of abdominal obesity (AO) (OR 0·52; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·67). Participants watching television no more than 7 h/week presented a 19 and 21 % lower likelihood for hypertension (HT) and elevated total cholesterol (ETC) than those with television time >7 h/week. Individuals who had less television time and a healthy dietary pattern had a lower OR for the presence of AO (OR 0·48; 95 % CI 0·36, 0·65), HT (OR 0·71; 95 % CI 0·66, 0·77), ETC (OR 0·72; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·91) and elevated TAG (OR 0·76; 95 % CI 0·61, 0·95), compared with those who followed other dietary patterns and television time >7 h/week. In conclusion, both healthy traditional pattern and less television time are jointly associated with reduced levels of CVD risk factors. It has important public health implications regarding the precision prevention of CVD at population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the roll of media studies, and more precisely television studies, in dealing with current cultural issues. Topics include the election of U.S. President Donald Trump and his policies, how media critiques can deal with the affects of the election, and the relationship of television and politics.

Binge watching is a relatively new behavioural phenomenon that may have health implications. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of, and identify modifiable factors associated with, TV binge watching. A total of 86 people completed an online questionnaire assessing self-efficacy, proximal goals, outcome expectations, anticipated regret, automaticity, goal conflict and goal facilitation, and self-reported binge watching over the last week. Participants reported binge watching a mean 1.42 days/week (standard deviation = 1.42). Intention and outcome expectations accounted for variance in binge watching, and automaticity, anticipated regret and goal conflict each separately accounted for additional variance in binge watching. Binge watching is commonplace and associated with both reflective and impulsive factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Television medical dramas depict the healthcare industry and draw considerable interest from the public, while pharmacists play an integral part in providing medication-related advice to the public and other health practitioners in real life. The main objective of this retrospective, observational study was to assess the appropriateness of medication advice given in televised medical dramas and how frequently pharmacists were involved in providing the medication advice. Methods Show selection was based on fictional series with a medical drama theme and having the highest viewership. Approximately 100 randomly selected hours of five medical television dramas ( House, Grey's Anatomy, Nurse Jackie, Doc Martin and Royal Pains) were assessed for the appropriateness of advice given based on the medication indicated, number of safety checks performed, and the level of adherence to standard clinical guidelines. The appropriateness of medication advice was assessed as appropriate, mostly appropriate, partially appropriate and inappropriate using a piloted, 0-6 point scale. Other parameters recorded included patient demographics, health professionals involved, and the categories of medicines. Results and discussions Medications were mentioned on 424 occasions (on average four times per hour), including 239 occasions where medication advice was given. A pharmacist was involved in giving medication advice only 16 times (7%). Using the assessment tool, overall, medication advice was deemed to be appropriate 24% of the time, mostly appropriate 34%, partially appropriate 13% and inappropriate 7%. Although the medication advice given was often for the correct indication and the advice somewhat followed clinical guidelines, it frequently omitted adequate safety checks. Doc Martin had the highest mean appropriateness score, whereas House and Grey's Anatomy had the lowest. What is new and conclusions Medication was often used for the correct indication in television medical dramas; however, key safety checks were frequently omitted and other medication-related advice, including dose, was less reliable and accurate. Pharmacists were rarely involved in providing medication advice. Viewers should not base medication-related decisions solely on what they see in television medical dramas, and any medication-related advice should be interpreted with extreme caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media exposure among young children has been suggested to influence self-concept and the adoption of social stereotypes regarding body weight, as well as being associated with increased weight. The aim of this study was to examine the role of TV/DVD viewing in the development of positive stereotypes toward thinness, self-esteem and body mass index standardized for child age and gender (BMIz) in very young girls. A sample of 143 girls completed interviews at ages 3, 4, and 5 years old. The interviews assessed positive stereotypes about thinness among girls, as well as age 5 dietary restraint. Parents reported on their daughters' self-esteem and TV/DVD viewing. Objective height and weight were obtained for the children. A cross-lagged model exploring TV/DVD viewing as a predictor of lower self-esteem, greater BMIz, and endorsement of positive stereotypes about thinness was tested, including dietary restraint as an outcome at age 5. Findings revealed partial support for the theoretical model, with relationships emerging most strongly between the ages of 4 and 5 years old. Greater TV/DVD viewing was weakly related to greater endorsement of positive stereotypes about thinness between ages 3 and 4. In addition, greater TV/DVD viewing at age 4 predicted BMIz increases at age 5, as well as greater dietary restraint. Our results suggest that the impact of media exposure on body image and weight-related variables may start at a very early age. Findings contribute to the body of literature suggesting that early childhood may be an important developmental period for media exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the tensions between different schools of thought regarding the evaluation of television. Using scholarship on television and affect, I argue that all discussions of the medium involve evaluation, and that those evaluations are always conducted on both aesthetic and ideological terms, at the same time. In doing so, I unpack the challenges that attend evaluation, emphasizing that the variability of viewer experiences with programs complicates some common assumptions about the medium, particularly the aesthetic value of lowbrow texts and the ideological problems associated with the medium's representations of minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watching news is important for preadolescents, but it may also harm their well-being. This study examined whether applying insights from positive psychology to news production can reduce this potential harm, by reducing negative emotional responses and enhancing positive emotional responses to negative news, and by encouraging prosocial intentions. Moreover, we explored whether peer discussion strengthened these effects. Preadolescents ( n = 336; 9-13 years old; 48.5% female) were exposed to either constructive (solution-based news including positive emotions) or nonconstructive news. Subsequently, half of the children assigned to the constructive and the nonconstructive condition participated in a peer discussion. The findings showed that exposure to constructive news resulted in more positive emotional responses and less negative emotional responses as compared to nonconstructive news. Moreover, discussing the news with peers led to more positive and less negative emotional responses among preadolescents who watched the nonconstructive newscast, and to more prosocial intentions among preadolescents who watched constructive news. In all, constructive news reporting and peer discussion could function as tools to make negative news less harmful for preadolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about how middle-aged and older men are affected by idealized depictions of male singers in music television. A total of 116 males completed pre- and post-test measures of body satisfaction, mood, and social comparison and viewed 5 minutes of clips containing scenery, muscular- or average-looking singers. Negative effects were restricted to young men who viewed the muscular clips. The younger men also reported more comparison while viewing the muscular and average-looking singers compared to the middle-aged and older men. These findings suggest that younger (but not middle-aged or older) men are particularly susceptible to idealized depictions of the male appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To examine the public health and policy-relevant messages conveyed through local television news during the first stage of Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation, when about 10 million Americans gained insurance. Methods. We conducted a content analysis of 1569 ACA-related local evening television news stories, obtained from sampling local news aired between October 1, 2013, and April 19, 2014. Coders systematically collected data using a coding instrument tracking major messages and information sources cited in the news. Results. Overall, only half of all ACA-related news coverage focused on health insurance products, whereas the remainder discussed political disagreementsover the law. Major policy tools of the ACA--the Medicaid expansion and subsidies available--were cited in less than 10% of news stories. Number of enrollees (27%) and Web site glitches (33%) were more common features of coverage. Sources with a political affiliation were by far the most commonsource of information (> 40%), whereas research was cited in less than 4% of stories. Conclusions. The most common source of news for Americans provided little public health-relevant substance about the ACA during its early implementation, favoring political strategy in coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binge TV-watching marks a new era of TV-watching behavior among youth. It is a result of dependence on new media and the widespread usage of smart phones connected to the Internet. The study investigates binge-watching among a sample of Arab residents in United Arab Emirates. It examines how binge-watching might correlate to depression and loneliness. A constructed questionnaire was designed to collect data from a sample of 260 Arab residents living in Abu Dhabi from different age groups. The results showed that YouTube and the TV program websites are the main sources that respondents use for binge-watching. The most popular devices used for binge TV-watching are smart phones and laptops. The findings revealed that binge-watching is more significant among the younger age group. Also, the results showed a significant positive correlation between binge-watching and depression, while there was no significant correlation between binge TV-watching and loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has indicated that many video games are saturated with stereotypes of women and that these contents may cultivate sexism. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between video game exposure and sexism for the first time in a large and representative sample. Our aim was also to measure the strength of this association when two other significant and well-studied sources of sexism, television exposure and religiosity, were also included in a multivariate model. A representative sample of 13520 French youth aged 11-19 years completed a survey measuring weekly video game and television exposure, religiosity, and sexist attitudes toward women. Controlling for gender and socioeconomic level, results showed that video game exposure and religiosity were both related to sexism. Implications of these results for future research on sexism in video games are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binge-watching is a new phenomenon characterized by watching TV/online series continuously. The relatively sedentary way of life and its associated psychological factors among the elderly may make them vulnerable to technology misuse and potential problematic binge-watching. We describe a case of a 72-year-old male professional who sought help to manage problematic binge-watching of teleseries. The clinical evaluation highlighted the mediating role of motivation factors (need for self-absorbing activities, compensatory motivation to manage low mood and loneliness) in binge-watching. This case study provides insights into the motives of the elderly for binge-watching and highlights the need to promote behavioral strategies for strengthening the healthy use of technology among the elderly, allowing them to age healthily with advancing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This paper analyzes a unique data set that details the daily advertisements on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material to avert heat stroke mortality in different media used by the state government of Odisha, India and the actual daily heat-wave mortalities in the state over a period of eight years. The paper then investigates the relative effectiveness of the different media in reducing mortality econometrically. The government adopted awareness generation as an adaptation strategy for heat waves in the year 2003 and intensified the use of public media from 2007 when multiple newspapers and radio and television channels were used for dissemination. I analyze the district-level daily death occurrences due to heat stroke using both linear and non-linear econometric models. Media used on the same day or on previous days are represented in the models by grouping them as either print, audio or video media. The data used is a daily panel data set consisting of only summer days (15th March–20th June) for the years 2005–12 for each of the 30 districts of the state. The estimated models account for the gap in data and the multidimensional nature of the panel (days, months, years). The results show the repeated use of video media to be the most effective in reducing deaths followed by newspapers and radio. The paper’s novel contribution is the use of secondary data to evaluate media and compare media effect of public health communication strategies in a developing country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay provides an overview of research and theory on narrative and its important, functional role in human experience, including the ways people use media to interrogate their own beliefs and feelings, and derive social meaning. Thought-provoking film, television, and books can help us make meaning of our lives and grow in ways that are important for our successful social functioning. Research reviewed here demonstrates that exposure to fiction can increase empathy and social skills and reduce prejudice. Our connection to characters and stories has been studied in various ways as extensions of the self into another, while at the same time bringing the other into the self. Bringing together disparate perspectives, we propose that connecting to story worlds involves a process of 'dual empathy'-simultaneously engaging in intense personal processing while also 'feeling through' characters, both of which produce benefits. Because the value of entertainment narratives may not always be well understood, we explain how those experiences can be personal, social, and can serve important adaptive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internalization of a thin ideal has been posited as a key risk factor in the development of pathological eating attitudes. Cross-culturally, studies have found a preference for heavier bodies in populations with reduced access to visual media compared to Western populations. As yet, however, there has been little attempt to control for confounding variables in order to isolate the effects of media exposure from other cultural and ecological factors. Here, we examined preferences for female body size in relation to television consumption in Nicaraguan men and women, while controlling for the potential confounding effects of other aspects of Westernization and hunger. We included an urban sample, a sample from a village with established television access, and a sample from a nearby village with very limited television access. The highest BMI preferences were found in the village with least media access, while the lowest BMI preferences were found in the urban sample. Data from the rural sample with established television access were intermediate between the two. Amongst rural women in particular, greater television consumption was a stronger predictor of body weight preferences than acculturation, education, hunger, or income. We also found some evidence for television consumption increasing the likelihood of women seeking to lose weight, possibly via body shape preferences. Overall, these results strongly implicate television access in establishing risk factors for body image disturbances in populations newly gaining access to Western media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TV content has been documented to portray a limited range of gender roles, and to frequently depict fathers as incompetent parents. Accordingly, this study explored whether first-time expectant parents' beliefs about gendered family roles and the importance of fathers to child development were related to their TV use. Participants were 201 individuals (122 women, 79 men) from across the United States expecting their first biological child in a cohabiting heterosexual relationship. Participants completed an online survey assessing weekly TV exposure, exposure to TV programs featuring fathers, perceived realism of TV, use of TV to learn about the world, and beliefs about both fathers' importance to child development and family gender roles. Zero-order correlations indicated that increased exposure to TV in general and to programs featuring fathers, perceived realism, and stronger learning motives were each linked to less egalitarian gender role beliefs in both women and men. Among women, heavier exposure to TV in general and to programs featuring fathers, and stronger learning motives were each correlated with weaker beliefs that fathers were important to child development. Multiple regression analyses, however, indicated that attributing more realism to TV content uniquely predicted more traditional gendered family role beliefs and beliefs that fathers are less important to child development across the whole sample. Even among men with low perceived realism, greater exposure to TV fathers was linked with weaker beliefs that fathers were important to child development. First-time expectant fathers may be especially vulnerable to media messages about father roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart TV has been highlighted as a new platform of broadcasting, powered for the last five years by its own application store as well as by internet-based contents. However, recently, smart TV's performance in the pay-TV market has been below expectations. In the socio-technical view, this paper investigates three aspects surrounding smart TV: bundling as a market competition strategy; services using technological features represented by N-screen; and consumer attributes, including personal innovativeness and demographics. The results show that the bundles with IPTV have a lock-in effect, while other pay-TV services do not, indicating that bundling by communications service providers is a more effective strategy to keep market share away from new entrants. Policy makers only consider competition among incumbents, neglecting the entrance of new service providers, like over-the-top service providers. Therefore, bundling should be evaluated in terms of an entry barrier. Smart TV doesn't work as a platform because the adoption of smart TV has no influence on the watching of N-screen broadcasting services on TV. There are implications that the new technology alone cannot encourage lean-forward activity on TV. Managers should focus on what consumers expect from ‘smartness’, and develop contents for the smart TV as a home appliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media are one source for adolescent identity development and social identity gratifications. Nielsen viewing data across the 2014-2015 television season for adolescents ages 14-17 was used to examine racial and gender diversity in adolescent television exposure. Compared to US Census data, mainstream shows under represent women, but the proportion of Black characters is roughly representative. Black adolescents watch more television than non-Black adolescents and, after taking this into account, shows popular with Black adolescents are more likely than shows popular with non-Black adolescents to exhibit racial diversity. In addition, shows popular with female adolescents are more likely than shows popular with males to exhibit gender diversity. These results support the idea that adolescents seek out media messages with characters that are members of their identity groups, possibly because the characters serve as tools for identity development and social identity gratifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media consistently influences peoples' choices from what to buy, to the state of the social world, to treatment choices for people with mental health problems or autism. This study investigated television networks' (i.e., National Broadcasting Company, American Broadcasting Company, and Columbia Broadcasting System) representation of non‐scientifically and scientifically supported treatments for autism. Transcripts (N = 312) from 2000 to 2012 were analyzed for the inclusion of autism treatment keywords and negative or positive comments about treatments. Results indicated that networks used the most keywords about applied behavior analysis (ABA), with diet therapies a close second. Trends over the 12‐year span showed increased coverage of non‐scientifically supported treatments. Similar positive and negative descriptive words were used for both ABA and non‐scientifically supported treatments with trends decreasing over the 12 years for both positive and negative terms about ABA. The results indicate that parents continue to receive inaccurate information about effective treatments for children with autism. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Research suggests that exposure to traumatic content via television inadvertently increases posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as well as psychological distress, especially among adolescent viewers. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of news consumption on PTSS and general distress among adolescents who live in a war area, as well as to examine the role of parents as intermediaries of news broadcasting. Method: A total of 65 adolescents who live in a war zone filled out the Child Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index, the Brief Symptoms Inventory, and a scale measuring the level of real-life exposure, news broadcast consumption, and parents as intermediaries of news broadcasting. Results: A main effect for real-life exposure on both PTSS and general distress was revealed. Interestingly, a three-way interaction between real-life exposure, television exposure, and parents as intermediators was found for general distress. Only under low real-life exposure did parents as intermediaries buffer the effect of television exposure on general distress. Conclusions: Parental intermediation of news broadcasting of traumatic events, especially in situations of continuous, real-life exposure, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of television is one of the dimensions of technological advances that have a certain influence on the social spheres of an individual. Due to easy access, minor cost and an enormous interest of TV viewership for entertainment purposes have produced the rapid development of television all over the globe. Television has become a constant feature in the family circle over the past few years. The basic goal of this study is to discover the effects of television on women in province of Punjab. In this study, survey method has been applied to obtain data from large representative population. The findings of the research study indicated that most of the respondents negated the point of view that due television viewing their domestic responsibilities like cooking cleaning, taking care of children is affecting. As well as social interaction is concern most respondent negated that television viewing is decreasing their interaction with relatives, neighbors and family. But on the other side they were quite agree that due to television exposure their interaction with friends is decreasing. Most of the respondents negated this point of view that television is decreasing their participation in social activities like wedding, engagements and birthday functions. It was also explored that personal appearance is also being affected due to television exposure. Furthermore, TV as a source of political socialization, majority shared their views that due to television exposure political socialization is increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY In this research, based on the stress coping style as expressed by hemodynamic parameters, we evaluated the modes of television viewing with the aim of estimating different modes of watching television. The central nervous system was assessed by means of electroencephalograms (EEG). The autonomic nervous system was assessed using the nasal skin temperature (NST) and the heart rate variability (HRV) with spectral analysis. In the spectral analysis of the HRV, the high-frequency components (HF) were evaluated. The cardiovascular system was assessed using the mean pressure (MP), the heart rate (HR), the stroke volume (SV), the cardiac output (CO), and the total peripheral resistance (TPR). The multiple mood scale (MMS) and visual analog scale (VAS) were administered to evaluate psychological status. It was found that modes of television viewing could not be distinguished using only the television content preference. It became clear that the modes of television viewing could be distinguished on the basis of the stress coping style using hemodynamic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on the impact of entertainment media on sex education is typically pathology-focused, unclear regarding the effects of such usage, and void of dialogue between those who actually work in the areas of sexuality education and entertainment. To address this gap, this paper is the product of joint authorship between media figures from varied sexually-focused programming fields and academics who teach and conduct research in the areas of sexuality and relational health. The authors focus on the role that various forms of entertainment media play in educating members of the public and college classrooms in the areas of sex and sexuality. Additionally, examples of the inclusion of entertainment media in educational contexts are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has pointed to the potential of entertainment media as a source of informal sex education for young people. New social media may offer additional potential in this respect. In this paper, we consider the pedagogical possibilities and limitations of online fan forums, via a case study of the forums of the controversial British teen drama seriesSkins. We analyse discussions of the realism of the series' representation of teenage life, and of specific issues (virginity, attractiveness and gay sexuality). We compare participants' discussions of their own experiences – in a section of the forum entitled ‘advice on life’ – with their discussions of the series and the characters. We find that the presentation of issues to do with sexuality sometimes challenges young people to engage in debate, and to move beyond established discourses. However, the value of the series in this respect depends crucially on its ‘openness’ – that is, its avoidance of fixed moral positions – and on its perceived plausibility and authenticity. The forum emerges as a new space for non-formal, peer-to-peer education that has limitations as well as new pedagogical possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Since their inception, film and television have been accused of having all kinds of magical powers to alter behaviour, coerce malfeasance and encourage debauchery. Decades of media theory later, the powers of persuasion are in fact thought to be much more modest. One area where popular media is considered to be particularly influential is education, with film and television being perceived to have a role in teaching audiences about certain topics, notably sexuality. This paper focuses specifically on the education provided by film and television about anal heterosex. Screen depictions have a function in not just putting such a sex act onto the audience agenda but in guiding viewers' reception. In this paper, the use of pleasure, pain and power frames is examined to explore the specifics of the anal education provided by screen fiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As offensive language becomes more pervasive on the screen, the need for scholarly understanding of the effects of such language is apparent. This article investigates personal characteristics that influence attitudes toward offensive language in television and film. Furthermore, it examines the combined impact of those attitudes and the amount of cursing in a film on viewing enjoyment. To provide a reliable measure of Attitudes Toward Offensive Language in Media (ATOL-M), a modified version of an existing scale is tested and presented in Study 1. Study 2 investigates the impact of ATOL-M on viewing enjoyment, and finds that ATOL-M impacts offense taken at cursing on film and TV, as well as the enjoyment experience. Suggestions for further research are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study applied socioecological and cumulative risk exposure frameworks to test the hypotheses that 1) the experience of poverty is associated with feeling less safe at school, and 2) feeling less safe is associated with engaging in poorer weight-related behaviors, as well as an increased probability of being overweight or obese. Data were from the ongoing Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, initiated in 1998 with a population-based cohort of 2,120 Québec (Canada) infants 5 months of age and their parent or primary caregiver. Measures of youths' (age, 13 years) self-reported feelings of safety, screen time, physical activity, and objectively assessed not overweight/obese (70%), overweight (22%), and obese (8%) weight status were collected in 2011. Family poverty trajectory from birth was assessed by using latent growth modeling. As hypothesized, exposure to poverty was associated with feeling less safe at school and, in turn, with an increased probability of being overweight or obese. The association was most pronounced for youths who experienced chronic poverty. Compared with youths who experienced no poverty and felt unsafe, those who experienced chronic poverty and felt unsafe were nearly 18% more likely to be obese (9.2% vs. 11.2%). Although feeling unsafe was associated with screen time, screen time did not predict weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]