Media coverage regarding sexual abuse
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UMT.Lahore
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between media coverage regarding sexual abuse
perceived stress and mental health in early and middle adults’ viewers. It was
hypothesized that; i) There is likely to be a relationship between of media coverage on
sexual abuse, perceived stress and mental health of early adults and middle age adults.
ii) Media coverage on sexual abuse and predict perceived stress are likely to predict
mental health in early and middle adult viewers. iii)intensity of perceived stress and
mental health are tend to be higher among early adults and middle age adults who are
viewers of media coverage on sexual abuse and iv) There is likely to be a gender
difference in mental health issues and in perceived stress after watching media
coverage on sexual abuse than men. Correlational cross-sectional design was used
including information related to sexual abuse. The sample consisted of 200
participants with age range 20-62 years (M = 38.41, SD = 13.81) of which 81 were
men and 119 were women. The convenient sampling was use to access the sample.
The self-constructed demographic sheet, Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck,
andamp; Mermelstein, 1983) and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF)
(Keyes, 2005). The results of Pearson Product Moment correlation showed that
perceived stress significantly negatively related to overall mental health in early and
middle adult viewers and perceived stress was negatively relate to social, emotional
and psychological well-being. The results of multiple hierarchal regression analysis
suggested that Perceived stress scale significantly negatively predicted mental health
in early and middle adults. The results of independent sample t-test showed
significant gender differences in perceived stress and mental health among early and
middle adults that women have higher perceived stress than men do. Moreover, the
results also indicated higher perceived stress in early adults than middle adults did.
This study has important implication for the media houses about developing programs
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in improving media ethics so the victim’s dignity should not be harm by the media
hype. Spread of news on sensitive topics so that a common person can have access to
give their opinion should be under control. Journalist should have highly developed
skills, training and formal education.