Exploring the Spirit in U.S. Audiences: The Role of the Virtue of Transcendence in Inspiring Media Consumption. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Janicke-Bowles, Sophie H.; Raney, Arthur A.; Oliver, Mary Beth; Dale, Katherine R.; Jones, Robert P.; Cox, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Journalism & mass communication quarterly. Volume 98:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: inspiring media -- spirituality -- gratitude -- self-transcendent emotions -- U.S. audience; Journalism -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Journalism -- United States -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Bibliography -- Periodicals; 070
• DOI: 10.1177/1077699019894927
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-6990

Abstract

Little is yet known about audiences who routinely seek out media content that is inspirational in nature. The current study expands the research on inspirational media by utilizing a nationally representative sample of U.S. audiences ( n = 2, 016) to explore relationships between inspiring media exposure, trait transcendence, and self-transcendent emotions. Results show that media content is a reliable source for everyday self-transcendent emotional experiences in U.S. audiences. These experiences are most frequently encountered by persons with high levels of trait spirituality and gratitude. The profile of U.S. audiences that seek out inspiring media is discussed.