Discussions of adolescent sexuality in news media coverage ofthe HPV vaccine

Dana M. Casciotti; Katherine C. Smith; Amy Tsui; Ann C. Klassen

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.11.004

Discussions of adolescent sexuality in news media coverage ofthe HPV vaccine

Dana M. Casciotti, Katherine C. Smith, Amy Tsui, Ann C. Klassen

Bloomberg School of Public Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Given the sexually transmitted nature of human papillomavirus (HPV), some worry the HPV vaccine will create a false sense of security and promote adolescent sexual activity. Media coverage of vaccines can influence social norms, parental attitudes, and vaccine acceptance; in this paper we examine U.S. news media messages related to sexuality and HPV vaccination. Drawing on a structured analysis of 447 articles published during 2005-2009, we qualitatively analyzed a purposive sample of 49 articles discussing adolescent health behaviors related to HPV vaccination. Commonly, articles discussed vaccination in the context of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexual health education; cited research findings to support vaccination or sex education; argued against connecting vaccination to promiscuous behavior; but included fear-inducing messages. Media messages concerning health behaviors related to HPV vaccination tended to support government and parental involvement in sex education, and dismiss concerns linking vaccination to sexual activity, while also presenting the vaccine as lifesaving.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	133-143
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Adolescence
Volume	37
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.11.004
State	Published - Feb 2014

Keywords

Health communication
News media
Sexual activity
Vaccination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Social Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

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10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.11.004

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title = "Discussions of adolescent sexuality in news media coverage ofthe HPV vaccine",

abstract = "Given the sexually transmitted nature of human papillomavirus (HPV), some worry the HPV vaccine will create a false sense of security and promote adolescent sexual activity. Media coverage of vaccines can influence social norms, parental attitudes, and vaccine acceptance; in this paper we examine U.S. news media messages related to sexuality and HPV vaccination. Drawing on a structured analysis of 447 articles published during 2005-2009, we qualitatively analyzed a purposive sample of 49 articles discussing adolescent health behaviors related to HPV vaccination. Commonly, articles discussed vaccination in the context of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexual health education; cited research findings to support vaccination or sex education; argued against connecting vaccination to promiscuous behavior; but included fear-inducing messages. Media messages concerning health behaviors related to HPV vaccination tended to support government and parental involvement in sex education, and dismiss concerns linking vaccination to sexual activity, while also presenting the vaccine as lifesaving.",

keywords = "Health communication, News media, Sexual activity, Vaccination",

author = "Casciotti, {Dana M.} and Smith, {Katherine C.} and Amy Tsui and Klassen, {Ann C.}",

note = "Funding Information: This research was supported in part by the Richard L Gelb Cancer Prevention Faculty Innovation Award to Dr. Klassen. Dr. Casciotti was also supported by the NCI Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Institutional Training Program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , and the Johns Hopkins Carol Eliasberg Martin Scholarship in Cancer Prevention . We thank Lindsay Andon, MHS, for her participation in the project.",

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N1 - Funding Information: This research was supported in part by the Richard L Gelb Cancer Prevention Faculty Innovation Award to Dr. Klassen. Dr. Casciotti was also supported by the NCI Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Institutional Training Program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , and the Johns Hopkins Carol Eliasberg Martin Scholarship in Cancer Prevention . We thank Lindsay Andon, MHS, for her participation in the project.

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N2 - Given the sexually transmitted nature of human papillomavirus (HPV), some worry the HPV vaccine will create a false sense of security and promote adolescent sexual activity. Media coverage of vaccines can influence social norms, parental attitudes, and vaccine acceptance; in this paper we examine U.S. news media messages related to sexuality and HPV vaccination. Drawing on a structured analysis of 447 articles published during 2005-2009, we qualitatively analyzed a purposive sample of 49 articles discussing adolescent health behaviors related to HPV vaccination. Commonly, articles discussed vaccination in the context of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexual health education; cited research findings to support vaccination or sex education; argued against connecting vaccination to promiscuous behavior; but included fear-inducing messages. Media messages concerning health behaviors related to HPV vaccination tended to support government and parental involvement in sex education, and dismiss concerns linking vaccination to sexual activity, while also presenting the vaccine as lifesaving.

AB - Given the sexually transmitted nature of human papillomavirus (HPV), some worry the HPV vaccine will create a false sense of security and promote adolescent sexual activity. Media coverage of vaccines can influence social norms, parental attitudes, and vaccine acceptance; in this paper we examine U.S. news media messages related to sexuality and HPV vaccination. Drawing on a structured analysis of 447 articles published during 2005-2009, we qualitatively analyzed a purposive sample of 49 articles discussing adolescent health behaviors related to HPV vaccination. Commonly, articles discussed vaccination in the context of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexual health education; cited research findings to support vaccination or sex education; argued against connecting vaccination to promiscuous behavior; but included fear-inducing messages. Media messages concerning health behaviors related to HPV vaccination tended to support government and parental involvement in sex education, and dismiss concerns linking vaccination to sexual activity, while also presenting the vaccine as lifesaving.

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Discussions of adolescent sexuality in news media coverage ofthe HPV vaccine

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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