De relatie tussen gewelddadige media en geweld bij adolescenten: Inhibitie als mediator of moderator

Abstract

The aim of this study was to further examine the relationship between violent media and aggression in adolescence. Within this relationship individual differences between adolescents might play a role. One of those individual differences could be inhibition. Inhibition seems to play a big part in aggression and might be a possible mediator or moderator in the relationship between violent media and aggression. An online questionnaire was administered and filled in by 1037 adolescents between the age of 9 and 14 years. This data was analyzed with a multiple regression analyses and model 1 and 4 of the PROCESS-macro. A significant positive relationship was found between violent media and aggression. There was no indication of either a moderating or mediating role of inhibition on this relationship. Despite finding no evidence for these roles, the results do show a positive correlation between inhibition, violent media, and aggression. This positive correlation suggests that inhibition does play a role in the relationship between violent media and aggression. To further study this role a distinction needs to be made between hot and cold inhibition and, direct and indirect aggression. For now, professionals, parents, and schools should be made aware of the risks of violent media so they can minimize them.