Alienation, Aggression, and Sensation Seeking as Predictors of Adolescent Use of Violent Film, Computer, and Website Content

Abstract

Use of violent media content by adolescents has long been a matter of public concern and debate, a concern that was heightened by the reported use of violent computer games and websites by the killers at Columbine High School in 1999. This study examined predictors of various types of self-reported use of violent media content by 8th graders (N = 3,127) from 20 schools around the U.S. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that gender, sensation seeking, aggression, and frequency of Internet use had relatively strong contributions to explaining the use of violent media content composite and the measure of violent website content use. Alienation variables contributed significantly, though modestly, to variance explained in the use of violence-oriented websites, but not to the composite measure. Alienation from school and family also appeared to partially mediate effects of sensation seeking and aggression on use of violent Internet content. A negative feedback loop model for linking uses and gratifications approaches to the study of effects of violent media content on adolescents is suggested.In recent years, there has been growing concern regarding the possible negative impact of violent computer and video games and violence-oriented websites on adolescents, especially adolescents who are alienated from school, family, and prosocial peer groups. The topic became a focus of national debate following the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, as the killers, described as alienated youth, were also reported to be heavy users of such computer games and websites (e.g.

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