A healthy dose of skepticism
The relationship between young adolescents’ sexual media exposure and sexual intentions, and the moderating role of media skepticism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17833116 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christina V Dodson (Innovation Research and Training, corresponding author), Reina Evans-Paulson (0000-0001-7397-6969, Innovation Research and Training), Tracy M Scull (0000-0002-9894-8654, Innovation Research and Training) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-06 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychology of Popular Media (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2689-6567 • E-ISSN: 2689-6575 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1037/ppm0000667 |
| PMID | 41959692 |
| OpenAlex | W7151042676 |
| Language | EN |
14; 55% female), this study examined the relationship between young adolescents' sexual media exposure and intentions to engage in sexual activity in the next year, and the potential moderating role of media skepticism. As hypothesized, greater sexual media exposure was positively related to intentions to engage in sexual activity in the next year. This relationship was moderated by media skepticism such that the relationship between sexual media exposure and sexual intentions was significantly weaker for adolescents' who were more skeptical of media messages. Implications for future research and interventions aimed at bolstering adolescents' critical media attitudes, including media skepticism, are discussed
Human sexuality · Mass media · Public health · Sexual behavior · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Media Influence and Health · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
| Highly cited | No |
|---|