Citation

Robertson LA, McAnally HM, Hancox RJ. Pediatrics 2013; 131(3): 439-446.

Affiliation

Departments of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, and.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Academy of Pediatrics)

DOI

10.1542/peds.2012-1582

PMID

23420910

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether excessive television viewing throughout childhood and adolescence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in early adulthood.METHODS:We assessed a birth cohort of 1037 individuals born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972-1773, at regular intervals from birth to age 26 years. We used regression analysis to investigate the associations between television viewing hours from ages 5 to 15 years and criminal convictions, violent convictions, diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, and aggressive personality traits in early adulthood.RESULTS:Young adults who had spent more time watching television during childhood and adolescence were significantly more likely to have a criminal conviction, a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, and more aggressive personality traits compared with those who viewed less television. The associations were statistically significant after controlling for sex IQ, socioeconomic status, previous antisocial behavior, and parental control. The associations were similar for both sexes, indicating that the relationship between television viewing and antisocial behavior is similar for male and female viewers.CONCLUSIONS:Excessive television viewing in childhood and adolescence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in early adulthood. The findings are consistent with a causal association and support the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that children should watch no more than 1 to 2 hours of television each day.

Language: en