Television, family climate and the decoding of values in adolescents with ADHD

Abstract

The multimedia culture in which we live offers few opportunities for holding our attention and may interfere with our construction of the meaning conveyed by the messages we receive. Consequently, within the fields of psychoeducation and communication, there is growing interest in exploring the possible influence of the media on children and adolescents, as well as on other groups with developmental or learning difficulties, particularly those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The general aim of this study was to explore the similarities and differences between adolescents with ADHD and the standard adolescent population as regards television viewing profile (favorite genres and characters) and the values perceived in relation to family climate. The total sample group comprised 209 adolescents (184 members of the standard population and 25 with ADHD), aged between 14 and 19. The instruments used were the CH-TV 0.2 and the VAL.TV.02. The results revealed six television profiles or groups, although most of the responses given were concentrated in just two. A comparison between the two most common profiles reveals significant differences in the value dimensions openness to change, self-promotion, cohesion and family expressiveness. These findings are of special interest to the study of different individuals in relation to media consumption, an area in which little research has been conducted to date. The results help lay the groundwork for developing media skills programs which adapt to the specific characteristics of their target groups.