By: L. Rowell Huesmann & colleagues
Wednesday, March 12, 2003

"Longitudinal Relations Between Children's Exposure to TV Violence and Their Aggressive and Violent Behavior in Young Adulthood: 1977–1992" by L. Rowell Huesmann, Jessica Moise-Titus, Cheryl-Lynn Podolski, and Leonard D. Eron appears in the Violent Children special issue of the APA Journal of Developmental Psychology. From the article abstract:

Although the relation between TV-violence viewing and aggression in childhood has been clearly demonstrated, only a few studies have examined this relation from childhood to adulthood, and these studies of children growing up in the 1960s reported significant relations only for boys. The current study examines the longitudinal relations between TV-violence viewing at ages 6 to 10 and adult aggressive behavior about 15 years later for a sample growing up in the 1970s and 1980s. Follow-up archival data (N = 450) and interview data (N = 329) reveal that childhood exposure to media violence predicts young adult aggressive behavior for both males and females. Identification with aggressive TV characters and perceived realism of TV violence also predict later aggression. These relations persist even when the effects of socioeconomic status, intellectual ability, and a variety of parenting factors are controlled.

This research is also featured in a March 10, 2003 UM News & Information Services press release, Childhood viewing of TV violence affects women as well as men, by Diane Swanbrow. It is also featured in a March 9 APA Press Release on EurekAlert by David Partenheimer Childhood exposure to media violence predicts young adult aggressive behavior.

The research is receiving considerable notice from the media. Press appearances include, among others:

March 11, 2003 New York Times: Violent Shows Inspire Violence, Study Says, by Reuters news service.

NPR's March 10, 2003 Morning Edition segment Violent TV Puts Children at Risk for Aggression. Audio link and transcripts for the segment are available at the Morning Edition website.

March 10, 2003 Ann Arbor News: "Study: TV boosts kids' aggression: Those who watch a lot of violence more likely to be violent", by Diane Gale Andreassi, News Special Writer.

March 10, 2003 Washington Post: "Watching TV Violence as Child Can Lead to Adult Aggression"

March 10, 2003 University Record: Childhood viewing of TV violence affects women as well as men, by Diane Swanbrow

March 10, 2003 Voice of America News: "Effects of TV Violence Found to Follow Children Into Adulthood"

March 10, 2003 Ireland Online: "Study shows TV encouraging aggression"

March 10, 2003 Dr.Koop.com: Boys and Girls Affected by TV violence: They can grow into aggressive adults, by Ed Edelson

March 10, 2003 CBC News online: Early exposure to TV violence bad for kids: study

March 10, 2003 Associated Press story by Malcolm Ritter, was picked up by many media outlets, such as:
Detroit News: "TV violence linked to adult aggression"
MSNBC: "Adult aggression, children's TV tied: Long-term study links violence and television"
The Times of India "TV violence affects kids: Study"
ABC news.com Entertainment section: "Study Links Aggressive Adults, TV Viewing: Study Claims People Who Watch Violent Television As Children Behave More Aggressively As Adults"
CNN International, UK, Health section: Kids' viewing of TV violence linked to aggression as adults
Canoe Cnews Science section: "Children's viewing of TV violence linked to aggression as adults"

March 10, 2003 Detroit Free Press: "Enjoying violent TV as child leads to aggression"

March 10, 2003 Canada.com Health section: "Blame the Roadrunner: Childhood exposure to TV violence predicts violence in adults, a 15-year study has found" by Lorrayne Anthony

March 10, 2003 CBS News Online: Study: TV Violence Begets Violence

March 10, 2003 WDSU channel 6, The New Orleans Channel.com Health page: Violence On TV Can Have Long-Lasting Impact: Researchers Follow Children Into Adulthood

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