title: Pow! Boom! Kablam! Effects of Viewing Superhero Programs on Aggressive, Prosocial, and Defending Behaviors in Preschool Children.
abstract: Many schools and parents try to motivate children to become defenders of victimized peers. Defending behavior is common in the media (particularly in superhero programs); however, no study has examined the effect of media on defending behavior. The aim of the study was to examine longitudinal associations between superhero engagement and a variety of aggressive, prosocial, and defending behaviors in preschool children. Participants consisted of 240 preschoolers (49% male) and their parents who reported on child media use and outcomes at 2 different time points. Preschooler's engagement with superheroes was related to increased physical and relational aggression 1 year later. Engagement with superheroes was not related to prosocial or defending behaviors. Implications of the results are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, JFSB 2087, Provo, UT, 84602, USA. smcoyne@byu.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.affiliation: School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, JFSB 2087, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stockdale
authors.affiliation: Linfield College, McMinville, OR, 97128, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer Ruh
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.affiliation: School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, JFSB 2087, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.affiliation: School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, JFSB 2087, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
authors.forename: Lee W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Essig
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D058445:Bullying; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010379:Peer Group; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television
keywords: Bullying; Defending behaviors; Media; Physical aggression; Prosocial behavior; Relational aggression; Superheroes