Assessment of Knowledge Regarding the Effects of Media Violence on the Behavior of Young Adults: A Descriptive Survey Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53926/YNJR/0035Keywords:
media violence, behavioral effects, young adults, knowledge assessment, descriptive survey, health educationAbstract
Background: Media violence exposure among young adults has been associated with increased aggression, desensitization, and behavioral disturbances. Despite the pervasive nature of violent media content, the level of awareness among this population regarding its behavioral consequences remains poorly characterized.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding the effects of media violence on behavior among young adults and to identify associations between knowledge scores and selected demographic variables.
Methods: A non-experimental, quantitative descriptive survey design was employed. A total of 100 young adults aged 15–25 years were recruited through stratified non-proportionate randomized sampling from Malabar Polytechnical College, Kottakkal, Kerala, India. Data were collected using a validated 26-item structured knowledge questionnaire. Knowledge scores were categorized as poor (score < 10), average (score 10–20), and good (score > 20). Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were applied.
Results: The majority of participants were aged 18–20 years (56%), male (71%), and enrolled in first-year courses (61%). Mobile phones were the predominant media device (81%), action/violence content was the most preferred genre (40%), and 52% reported approximately five hours of daily media exposure. Knowledge assessment revealed that 74% of participants had poor knowledge and 26% had average knowledge; none achieved a good knowledge score. Chi-square analysis demonstrated no statistically significant association between knowledge scores and any demographic variable (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Young adults in this sample demonstrated predominantly inadequate knowledge regarding the behavioral impact of media violence, regardless of demographic characteristics. An information booklet was developed as an intervention to bridge this knowledge gap. Targeted educational programs are warranted to promote awareness of media violence effects in this age group.
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