Assessment of attitude regarding effect of mass media on behavioral pattern of adolescents in selected high schools, West Bengal

Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the attitude regarding effect of mass media on behavioral pattern of adolescents in selected high schools with the objective to identify the attitude regarding effect of mass media on behavioral pattern of adolescents and to find out the association between attitude and selected demographic variables. The conceptual framework adopted for the study was based on Modified Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model 2006.200 adolescent high school students were selected by stratified random sampling from selected govt. co-ed high schools. The tools used for the study were semi structured questionnaire to assess the demographic profile and structured rating scale to identify attitude regarding effect of mass media on behavioral pattern of adolescents. The findings of the study revealed that maximum respondents had moderately positive attitude regarding effect of mass media on food habit (57% male and 48% female), aggression and violent behavior (71% male and 74% female), and sexual behavior (61% male and 77% female).The study also revealed that there was significant association between attitude of adolescents regarding sexual behavior and age, gender and place of living. Considering the findings of the study some recommendations were made that include-to conduct a comparative study to assess the attitude between male and female students as well as between urban and rural area and to conduct the study among adolescents on other variables.