Who talks how to their kids about TV: A clarification of demographic correlates of parental mediation patterns

Parental Mediation of Television

“…This confirms results of other investigations (Austin et al, 1997;Valkenburg et al, 1999;Warren et al, 2002). The positive effect of family interaction patterns observed with all three mediation styles indicates the particular importance of both an open and communicative family interaction as well as enhanced stimulation of the child for television mediation.…”

“…In general, such results are explained in that those higher educated parents worry more about possible negative outcomes of television on their child and therefore use more restrictions and explanations. However, other investigations show no (Austin, Knaus, & Meneguelli, 1997) or even negative correlations (Lin & Atkin, 1989) between parental education and television mediation. Decisive for television mediation are also a child's age and sex.…”

“…Overall, results concerning the influence of sociodemographic factors are inconsistent. Because of small effect sizes, the general value of those factors is mistrusted (Austin et al, 1997;Warren et al, 2002).…”

Perceived Media Influence and Efficacy as Predictors of Caregivers' Protective Behaviors

“…There are several limitations of this work. First, most of the studies on the predictors of mediation address television in general rather than specific types of television content (exceptions include Austin, Knaus, & Meneguelli, 1997;Dorr , Kovaric, & Doubleday, 1989;St. Peters et al, 1991).…”

Talk about TV: Television viewers’ interpersonal communication about programming

“…In addition, qualitative work has examined ways in which individuals talk about television shows in semi-structured interviews, focus group settings, and on-line (e.g., Baym, 1999;Granello, 1997). Research has also examined particular goal-directed talk about television shows (e.g., parental control of children's viewing: Austin, Knaus, & Menguelli, 1997). Other work has examined the ways in which interpersonal communication is portrayed in the media (e.g., Harwood & Giles, 1992).…”