Parental Mediation in the Digital Era: Increasing Children's Critical Thinking May Help Decrease Positive Attitudes toward Alcohol. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Radanielina Hita, Marie Louise; Kareklas, Ioannis; Pinkleton, Bruce
• Is Part Of: Journal of health communication. Volume 23:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 108
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; 610.14
• DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2017.1411997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-0730

Abstract

Abstract : We demonstrate in our research that discussion-based parental mediation may successfully decrease the negative effects that youth's engagement with alcohol brands on social media may have on attitudes toward alcohol through its effects on critical thinking. A clear pattern was found with positive mediation leading to unhealthy outcomes and negative mediation predicting healthier behaviors. Youth whose parents critiqued media messages reported more critical thinking skills, which predicted less interaction with alcohol brands on social media and fewer expectancies toward alcohol. On the other hand, youth whose parents endorsed media portrayals of drinking reported fewer critical thinking skills and were thus more likely to interact with alcohol brands on social media. Including a media literacy component in alcohol education that target parental strategies and that are conducive to discussion may lead to beneficial health outcomes in the digital era.