Differences in the Portrayal of Health Risk Behaviors by Black and White Characters in Popular Films

J Health Commun. 2017 Jun;22(6):451-458. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2017.1290165. Epub 2017 May 8.

Abstract

Adolescent exposure to risk in film has been associated with behavior. We coded Black and White character involvement in sex, violence, alcohol use, and tobacco use, and combinations of those behaviors in popular mainstream and Black-oriented films (film n = 63, character n = 426). Health risk portrayals were common, with the majority of characters portraying at least one. Black characters were more likely than Whites to portray sex and alcohol use, while White characters were more likely to portray violence. Within-segment combinations of sex and alcohol were more prevalent for Black characters, while violence and alcohol were more prevalent for Whites. Throughout a film, Black characters were more likely than White characters to portray sex and alcohol, sex and tobacco, and alcohol and tobacco. Risky behaviors are prevalent, but types portrayed differ between Black and White characters. This may have implications for health disparities in Black and White adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Alcohol Drinking / ethnology
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Risk Behaviors*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Motion Pictures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology
  • Tobacco Use / ethnology
  • Violence / ethnology
  • White People / psychology*
  • White People / statistics & numerical data