@article{ref1,
title="Short- and long-term effects of superhero media on young children's risk-taking behaviors",
journal="Journal of pediatric psychology",
year="2021",
author="Morgan, Casie H. and Morrongiello, Barbara A. and Schwebel, David C.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Unintentional injuries, the leading cause of death for American children, are caused by a range of psychosocial factors, including risk behavior. One factor that may impact child risk-taking is modeling of superhuman risk-taking from superhero media, both immediately following superhero exposure and based on lifetime exposure and engagement. <br><br>METHODS: Fifty-nine 5-year-olds were randomly assigned to view either a 13-min age-appropriate superhero television show or a comparable nonsuperhero show. After the viewing, children engaged in three risk-taking measures: (a) activity room, unsupervised play for 5 min with assortment of apparently dangerous items that might encourage child risk-taking; (b) picture sort, 10 illustrations of children in risk situations, with participant response concerning intended risk-taking in that situation; and (c) vignettes, 10 stories presenting situations with varying degrees of risk, with participant response on intended choice. Parents completed questionnaires concerning children's long-term superhero media exposure and individual superhero engagement (e.g., if child's most recent Halloween costume was of a superhero). Correlations and regressions evaluated effects of immediate superhero exposure, lifetime superhero exposure, and lifetime superhero engagement on children's risk-taking. <br><br>RESULTS: Mixed results emerged. Lifetime superhero exposure was significantly related to children's risk-taking outcomes in two bivariate (vignettes and picture sort) and one multivariate (picture sort) model. Neither immediate superhero exposure nor lifetime superhero engagement was strongly related to risk-taking. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Children's lifetime superhero exposure may influence children's risk-taking. Given American children's substantial media exposure, research should continue to unpack the role of superhero media on children's unintentional injury and other health risk behaviors.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0146-8693",
doi="10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa133",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa133"
}