%0 Journal Article
%T Double Dose: High Family Conflict Enhances the Effect of Media Violence Exposure on Adolescents¡¯ Aggression
%A Karin M. Fikkers
%A Jessica Taylor Piotrowski
%A Wouter D. Weeda
%A Helen G. M. Vossen
%A Patti M. Valkenburg
%J Societies
%D 2013
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/soc3030280
%X We investigated how exposure to media violence and family conflict affects adolescents¡¯ subsequent aggressive behavior. We expected a double dose effect, meaning that high media violence exposure would lead to higher levels of aggression for adolescents in high conflict families compared to low conflict families. A total of 499 adolescents (aged 10 to 14, 48% girls) participated in a two-wave longitudinal survey (4-month interval). Survey questions assessed their exposure to violence on television and in electronic games, family conflict, and aggressive behavior. Analyses revealed a significant interaction between media violence and family conflict. In families with higher conflict, higher media violence exposure was related to increased subsequent aggression. This study is the first to show a double dose effect of media violence and family conflict on adolescents¡¯ aggression. These findings underscore the important role of the family in shaping the effects of adolescents¡¯ media use on their social development.
%K adolescents
%K aggression
%K family conflict
%K media violence
%U http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/3/3/280