A systematic literature review pertaining to the psychological effects of multimedia-induced sexualisation of girls in middle childhood

Abstract

International reports recently issued in countries such as America, England, Australia and Scotland have sparked debate pertaining to the sexualisation of young children. Healthcare clinicians, psychologists, caregivers, parents, and educators have become concerned about the concept of multimedia-induced sexualisation. Although international reports have been released, information is limited on the causes, effects and the future management thereof. Available literature indicates that the enhanced access to, and exposure to different media modalities and the messages young children receive from these modalities, could be at the leading foreground of sexualisation. Although the exposure to sexual materials is not new for children, disturbing new trends and developments are cause for concern because children are currently being directly targeted in the media (Gale, 2008). Self-motivated sexual exploration and age-appropriate exposure to information about sexuality is not viewed as sexualisation. Sexualisation refers to the inappropriate imposition of adult sexuality onto children and young individuals before they are mentally, emotionally or physically capable of dealing with it; whereby excessive emphasis and value is placed on sexual appeal or behaviour; and whereby young children are evaluated in terms of physical characteristics (American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualisation of Girls, 2010; Bailey, 2011). Some of the most alarming findings reveal that the sexualisation of young girls have started to occur at alarming earlier ages and also indicate potential harmful effects thereof, especially on girls in middle childhood. The latter appears to be closely linked with the access to technology and enhanced exposure to sexualised content in the media (Papadopoulos, 2010). The aim of this study was to systematically review, explore, synthesize and summarize current available research pertaining to the psychological effects of multimedia-induced sexualisation of girls in middle childhood. A summary and comprehensive outline of the literature available on this phenomenon will add to international debate, inform readers regarding the most recent evidence on this phenomenon, hopefully inform further research, and create awareness of this phenomenon in the context of developing countries such as South Africa. A systematic review was conducted through a comprehensive electronic search. The initial search produced 1934 results. Studies were further excluded based on not being applicable to the review question, not meeting the inclusion criteria or being rated as poor quality research. A final nineteen studies were identified for inclusion in the review. The nineteen studies were found to be of acceptable quality, as agreed by both the reviewers. These studies were published between 2001 and 2016, which comprised of different methodologies and research designs. Data was analysed by means of qualitative content analysis and revealed two themes. Theme one encapsulates the possible detrimental psychological effects of multimedia-induced sexualisation for girls in the form of internalization, objectification, mental health and gender-stereotyping. Theme two relate to the possible positive effects of multimedia-induced sexualisation. Findings appear to indicate that the psychological effects on girls in middle childhood, resulting from sexualisation, to be more detrimental than promoting their well-being. It is necessary for healthcare practitioners involved in the treatment of young girls in middle childhood, to take the above mentioned into consideration in order to better understand these girls' functioning. A paucity of research on the topic, in the context of developing countries, was also found and as such a precautionary approach pertaining to sexualisation of girls in middle childhood is advocated. Opsomming In lande soos Amerika, Engeland, Australië, en Skotland is internasionale verslae onlangs uitgereik met betrekking tot seksualisering van jong kinders. Hierdie verslae het vele debatvoering ontlok. Verskeie gesondheidsorgpraktisyns, sielkundiges, versorgers, ouers, en opvoerders is bekommerd oor die konsep van multimedia-geïnduseerde seksualisering en beskou hulle dit as 'n kwessie wat aangespreek moet word. Al is hierdie internasionale verslae vrygestel, bly inligting beperk rakende die oorsake, gevolge en die toekomstige bestuur van seksualisering. Literatuur dui aan dat kinders se verbeterde toegang tot en blootstelling aan verskillende media modaliteite op die voorgrond van seksualisering kan wees. Die blootstelling aan seksuele materiaal deur middel van die media is nie nuut vir kinders nie, maar het ontstellende nuwe neigings waar kinders direk in die media geteiken word, kommernis ontwikkel (Gale, 2008). Self-gemotiveerde seksuele eksplorasie en ouderdom-toepaslike blootstelling aan inligting oor seksualiteit, word nie per se beskou as seksualisering nie. Seksualisering verwys na kinders se onvanpaste blootstelling aan volwasse seksualiteit voordat hulle psigologies, emosioneel, of fisies voorbereid is om dit te hanteer; waardeur oormatige klem en waarde geplaas word op seksuele voorkoms of gedrag; en waardeur jong kinders geëvalueer word in terme van fisiese eienskappe (American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualisation of Girls, 2010; Bailey, 2011). Onlangse bevindinge dui aan dat die seksualisering van middelkinderjarige meisies toenemend plaasvind op vroeër ouderdomme en kan seksualisering potensiële skadelike effekte inhou. Laasgenoemde word veral nou gekoppel aan hierdie jong bevolkingsgroep se toegang en blootstelling aan seksuele inhoud in die media (Papadopoulos, 2010). Die doel van hierdie sistematiese literatuur studie is om beskikbare navorsing te hersien, te verken, te sintetiseer en op te som rakende die psigologiese effekte van multimedia-geïnduseerde seksualisering van meisies in middel kinderjare. 'n Omvattende oorsig van die literatuur word weergegee oor hierdie verskynsel. Die inligting word opgesom met die doel om by te dra tot die internasionale debatvoering, om aan lesers die nuutste inligting oor hierdie verskynsel te verskaf, om verdere navorsing te motiveer, en om bewustheid te skep oor hierdie verskynsel in ontwikkelende lande soos Suid-Afrika. Die aanvanklike elektroniese soektog het 1934 resultate opgelewer. Nadat studies uitgesluit is op grond daarvan dat dit nie die navorsingsvraag aanspreek nie, nie aan die insluitings kriteria voldoen nie, of aangewys is as swak gehalte navorsing, is 'n finale negentien studies ingesluit. Die finale studies is gepubliseer tussen die jare van 2001 tot 2016 en bestaan uit verskeie metodologieë en navorsingsontwerpe. Data was geanaliseer deur middel van kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise en het daar twee temas navore gekom. Tema een som die moontlike nadelige psigologiese effekte op wat multimedia-geïnduseerde seksualisering vir kinders kan inhou. Laasgenoemde resultate word bespreek in subtemas van internalisering, liggaamsontenvredenheid, objektifisering, welstand en geslagstereotipering. Tema twee hou verband met die moontlike positiewe effekte van multimedia-geïnduseerde seksualisering. Bevindinge dui aan dat die psigologiese effekte van seksualisering vir middel-kinderjarige meisies meer nadelig is vir hulle welstand. Dit word aanbeveel dat die bogenoemde in aggeneem word deur praktisyns, wat betrokke is by die behandeling van middel-kinderjarige meisies, om sodoende hulle funksionering beter te verstaan. 'n Gebrek aan navorsing in ontwikkelende lande oor hierdie onderwerp is geïdentifiseer. 'n Voorkomende benadering word aanbeveel met betrekking tot die seksualisering van meisies in middelkinderjare.