Communication Monographs
Volume 72, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 46-70

Children's and parents' fright reactions to kidnapping stories in the news (Article)

Wilson B.J.* , Martins N. , Marske A.L.
  • a Department of Speech Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States, Department of Speech Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 244 Lincoln Hall, 702 S. Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
  • b Department of Speech Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States
  • c [Affiliation not available]

Abstract

We conducted a random telephone survey of 182 parents to assess their reactions as well as their children's reactions to child kidnapping stories in the news. Children below age 13 experienced more fright-related feelings and more concern for their personal safety than adolescents did. Children who were heavy viewers of TV news also were more frightened. Parents rated themselves as more upset by the stones than their children were. Parents' fright responses and coping strategies were more prevalent among those who paid close attention to the high-profile news stories and those who regularly viewed TV series about missing persons. The findings are discussed in terms of cultivation theory and developmental differences in how children process information. © 2005 National Communication Association.

Author Keywords

Television news Parents' Fright Children's Fright Developmental Differences Kidnapping Stories

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-27944449558&doi=10.1080%2f0363775052000342526&partnerID=40&md5=3f6492564e320ee20e7c8fc28ebc4a74
DOI: 10.1080/0363775052000342526
ISSN: 03637751
Cited by: 25
Original Language: English