Citation

Turley JM, Derdeyn AP. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 1990; 29(6): 942-945.

Affiliation

CSW Medical Center, Wiesbaden Air Force Base, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2273025

Abstract

Modern improvements in the technology of cinematic special effects have ushered in a new genre of vivid and graphic horror film. The numerous sequels of these films attest to their popularity among adolescents and young adults. Considerable concern has arisen on the part of parents, professionals, and policymakers regarding adverse effects of these films upon children. The authors discuss the meaning of a horror film to a troubled 13-year-old boy and describe the use of the film in his psychotherapy. The modern horror film serves many of the same functions for the adolescent that the traditional fairy tale serves for the younger child.

Language: en