ADOLESCENTS RISKY BEHAVIOR AND MASS-MEDIA USE

Objective. To understand better the relationship between adolescents' use of the mass media (including television, radio, and magazines) and their risky or unhealthy behaviors. Design. Secondary data analysis o f a 1987 in-home survey of 2760 randomly selected 14- to 16-year-old a dolescents in 10 urban areas in the southeastern United States. Measur ement. The extent of participation in eight potentially risky behavior s (sexual intercourse, drinking, smoking cigarettes, smoking marijuana , cheating, stealing, cutting class, and driving a car without permiss ion) and the use of a variety of mass media. Results. Adolescents who had engaged in more risky behaviors listened to radio and watched musi c videos and movies on television more frequently than those who had e ngaged in fewer risky behaviors, regardless of race, gender, or parent s' education. White male adolescents who reported engaging in five or more risky behaviors were most likely to name a heavy metal music grou p as their favorite. Adolescents reported reading a wide diversity of magazines, and most reported reading at least one of a few selected ma gazines. Sports and music magazines were most likely to be read by ado lescents who had engaged in many risky behaviors. Conclusions. Mass me dia health promotion efforts could more specifically target adolescent s who are engaging in multiple risky behaviors.