title: Reality television predicts both positive and negative outcomes for adolescent girls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of media, specifically reality television, on adolescent behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1141 preteen and adolescent girls (age range 11-17) answered questions related to their reality television viewing, personality, self-esteem, relational aggression, appearance focus, and desire for fame.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicated that the influence of reality television on adolescent behavior is complex and potentially related to the adolescents' intended uses and gratifications for using reality television. Reality television viewing was positively related to increased self-esteem and expectations of respect in dating relationships. However, watching reality television also was related to an increased focus on appearance and willingness to compromise other values for fame. Reality television viewing did not predict relational aggression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The potential influences of reality television use on adolescent girls are both positive and negative, defying easy categorization.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX 78041, USA. CJFerguson1111@aol.com
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Kimberlee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salmond
authors.forename: Kamla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Modi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television