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ERIC Number: EJ1153612
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-8756-5943
EISSN: N/A
Pretty Risky Behavior: A Content Analysis of Youth Risk Behaviors in "Pretty Little Liars"
Hall, Cougar; West, Joshua; Herbert, Patrick C.
Health Educator, v47 n2 p2-11 Fall 2015
Adolescent consumption of screen media continues to increase. A variety of theoretical constructs hypothesize the impact of media content on health-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. This study uses a coding instrument based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey to analyze health behavior contained in 95 episodes of the popular American teen drama series "Pretty Little Liars." This content analysis identified several risk behaviors such as being bullied on school property, youth consumption of alcohol, and failure to use condoms or other birth control during sexual activity. Illegal or unethical behaviors related to lying, trespassing, vandalism, and age of consent violations were also identified. The analysis reveals several positive health behaviors frequently included in "Pretty Little Liars" episodes such as fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and avoidance of tobacco products. Health education efforts to increase media literacy skills and assist students in analyzing the influence of media messages on behavior are warranted. Parents concerned about their child's exposure to unhealthy, dangerous or illegal behavioral depictions may benefit from seizing opportunities provided by programs such as "Pretty Little Liars" to engage adolescents in discussions about expectations for health behavior.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A