Reality Television Viewing and Peer-Directed Relational Aggression in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Relational aggression is a form of aggression characterized by harming or attempting to harm an individual’s social relationships. Previous research has identified a link between the consumption of relationally aggressive media and the perpetuation and endorsement of relational aggression. Previous studies have also identified reality television programs as significantly more relationally aggressive compared to their scripted counterparts. This study investigated the association between reality television consumption and peer-directed relational aggression and normative beliefs about relational aggression, as well as the moderating role of perceived realism in these associations. Follow-up analyses were conducted to further understand whether these associations differed depending on the specific type of reality television that was viewed. Participants were 336 college students (83% female) who completed an online survey. Though perceived realism was not a moderator of these associations, it did emerge as a significant predictor of peer-directed relational aggression. Additionally, male participants held stronger normative beliefs about relational aggression.