Distorted Reflections: Media Exposure and Latino Adolescents' Conceptions of Self

Rocío Rivadeneyra, L. Monique Ward, Maya Gordon
2007 Media Psychology  
Because Latinos are underrepresented and often negatively stereotyped in the media, concern is frequently expressed that repeated exposure to these portrayals may reflect poorly on Latino adolescents' self-esteem. To test this issue empirically, we conducted 2 studies examining associations between multiple dimensions of self-esteem and several forms of media use. Testing 40 Latino high school students in Study 1, we found that more frequent and more active TV viewing was associated with lower
more » ... ocial and appearance self-esteem. Many of these general patterns were replicated in Study 2 with 115 college students and with several demographic controls. Additional analyses of possible moderators revealed more consistent negative correlations among women and among participants with a stronger Latino ethnic identity. Together, these findings provide powerful evidence of a potential link between media use and the self-conceptions of Latino youth. Evidence accumulated over the past 3 decades indicates that television exposure has a far-reaching impact on young audiences. With its appealing visual images, dynamic character portrayals, and provocative messages, television has emerged as a powerful agent of socialization, shaping adolescent's knowledge, attitudes, MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY, 9,
doi:10.1080/15213260701285926 fatcat:ytj3zqudc5dc5gq4kb7hvejxty