Effects of Parasocial Relationships and Identification with TV Characters on Teens

Abstract

With the rise of “binge watching” and increasing use of social media, teens are interacting more with tv shows, or more specifically the characters. Previous research has identified that parasocial relationships (PSR) and identification impact loneliness, body image, and one’s personality and behaviors, but has failed to address the extent to which the effects are positive or negative. PSR and Identification have also not been studied together, despite the likelihood of someone who has formed a relationship with a character to also put themselves in the shoes of said character. My study addressed these gaps and aimed to explore the extent to which the effects of PSR and identification with tv characters are negative on teens ages 14-18. My study also explored the subquestion, are ineffective age-ratings a possible cause of any specific negative effects of PSR and/or identification? I conducted a phenomenological study using a quantitative survey method. I determined participants’ level of PSR and identification with their favorite tv-show character and the number of positive, negative, and neutral effects the phenomenons had on them. A strong correlation between one’s level of PSR and identification confirmed that the two should be studied together. However, no correlation was found between one’s level of PSR or Identification and the positivity or negativity of effects. My subquestion did reveal that PSR and identification pose a problem when with characters from shows rated for an older audience. These findings may have implications on the presence and use of parental controls on television.