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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (2 results)

  • Thesis
  • Peer Reviewed
UC Santa Barbara Electronic Theses and Dissertations (2024)

Drawing on the evolutionary theory of loneliness, this dissertation explores how hypervigilance during communication contributes to social isolation for those with elevated social anxiety. The primary objective is to determine how prosocial communication affects social withdrawal behavior over time and to examine the mechanisms by which social anxiety exacerbates loneliness during moment-to-moment interactions. This dissertation begins with an exploration of the etiological foundations of social anxiety, establishing it as a stable, trait-like predictor rooted in childhood behavioral inhibition. A theoretical model is proposed, describing the relationship among social anxiety, hypervigilance during communication, and social connection. The model posits that individuals with elevated trait social anxiety are predisposed to various forms of isolation, which results in heightened vigilance during social interactions and ultimately influences both the processing and production of communication messages.

    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UC San Francisco Previously Published Works (2025)
    OBJECTIVE: To assess whether specific parent media practices are associated with the consumption of R-rated (restricted) movies and mature-rated video game use in early adolescents. METHODS: Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 10,054, 12-13 years, Year 3, 2019-2021) were analyzed. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to assess associations among media parenting practices and R-rated movies or mature-rated video game use, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Parental allowance of bedroom screen use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-1.53), family mealtime screen use (AOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.13-1.25), and parent screen use (AOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20) were positively associated with watching R-rated movies. Parental allowance of bedroom screen use (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.36-1.52), family mealtime screen use (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.19-1.32), and parent screen use (AOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) were positively associated with playing mature-rated video games. Greater parental monitoring and limiting of screen time were negatively associated with watching R-rated movies (AOR 0.81, 95% CI 0.77-0.85 and AOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.68-0.79 respectively) and playing mature-rated video games (AOR 0.81, 95% CI 0.77-0.86 and AOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.67-0.77). Restricting screen time as a punishment for misbehavior was linked to a higher odds of watching R-rated movies (AOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) and playing mature-rated video games (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07-1.17) while offering screen time to reward for good behavior was negatively associated with watching R-rated movies (AOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Media parenting practices such as monitoring or limiting screen use are significantly associated with playing mature-rated video games and watching R-rated movies. Punitive measures, such as restricting screen time as a punishment are slightly associated with increased engagement with such content. These findings highlight the importance of intentional and thoughtful parental strategies in managing childrens media consumption effectively.
      Cover page: Associations between media parenting practices and early adolescent consumption of R-rated movies and mature-rated video games.
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