1. Subjective well-being among Spanish adolescents according to their self-categorization as audiovisual media consumers Ferran Casas, Sara Malo, Irma Bertran, Carme Montserrat & Mònica González http://www.udg.edu/eridiqv

2. Where is our sample from?

3. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS (I)  New technologies, particularly Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), offer us tools to improve our way of life. Some authors have reviewed highlighted how such tools may allow us to establish relationships in new ways (Bressand & Distler, 1995). We know interpersonal relationships make a major contribution to the well-being of many people and populations.  In the scientific literature, an important debate exists on the impact television (Kubey & Csikszentmilahy, 1990) and other audiovisual media (del Río, 1996; Buckingham, 2002) have on personal well- being. However, among adolescents it is doubtful that using ICTs leads to fewer interpersonal relationships, as assumed by some authors.

4. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS (II)  Time spent watching TV or using other media is frequently evaluated through a lengthy set of self-reported questions on the number of hours or minutes of everyday consumption, which in fact become very boring for children and adolescents.  In a representative sample of 12-16 Catalan adolescents, a rather high significant correlation (r=0.457) was observed between time of television consumption and self-categorization as television consumer. As a consequence, we decided to use this single self- categorization item in this research rather than the traditional set of time reporting items (Casas, Madorell et al., 2007).correlation

5. AIM OF THIS PRESENTATION  In this study, we analyze the subjective well-being of a Spanish sample of N=3,504 12 to 18-year-old adolescents in relation to different levels of audiovisual media consumption.  Subjects were asked to categorize themselves on 5 different consumer levels for each of 4 audiovisual media (television, Internet, videogames, mobile phone).  Subjective well-being was analyzed using 3 different measures ( PWI, SWLS and OLS) according to their different self-categorization as audiovisual media consumers.

6. METHOD Instruments (I)  All data were obtained through a questionnaire measuring items on a 0 to 10 scale. The psychometric instruments included were: PWI (Cummins, 2003; Cummins et al., 2003): We used the 7-item version. The item on satisfaction with religion or spirituality was not included. The maximum score for this index is 100. SWLS (Diener et al., 1985): Notice that in our results the maximum score is 50 points rather than the usual 35. OLS: 1 item on overall life satisfaction.

7. METHOD Instruments (II): Items on Self-categorization as audiovisual media consumers 1. What kind of television consumer are you? I never or hardly ever watch it I’m a low TV consumer I’m an average TV consumer I’m quite a high TV consumer I’m a very high TV consumer 12345 2. What kind of computer/console games consumer are you? I never or hardly ever play with computer/console games I’m a low computer/console games consumer I’m an average computer/console games consumer I’m quite a high computer/console games consumer I’m a very high computer/console games consumer 12345 3. What kind of Internet consumer (surfing the Net, chatting, sending e-mail and so on) are you? I never or hardly ever use the Internet I’m a low Internet consumer I’m an average Internet consumer I’m quite a high Internet consumer I’m a very high Internet consumer 12345 4. What kind of mobile phone consumer (chatting, sending SMS, missed or “bomb” calls and so on) are you? I never or hardly ever use a mobile phone I’m a low mobile phone consumer I’m an average mobile phone consumer I’m quite a high mobile phone consumer I’m a very high mobile phone consumer 12345

8. METHOD Procedure  A two-stage cluster sampling design was used to select the sample. In the first stage, 18 secondary schools were randomly selected within the four provinces of Catalonia.  In each school, we reported our aims to the Director/Principal and to the Parents' Association, and proceeded in accordance with regular ethical guidelines for administering questionnaires to children.  We randomly selected a number of classrooms in each school, in order to have a sample of all age groups from compulsory secondary education and post-compulsory education, and we asked the teacher for their co-operation. Compulsory education usually finishes the year adolescents turn 16, with a few exceptions.  Adolescents were asked for their co-operation and were informed that data would be treated confidentially and that they were free to refuse. The questionnaires were group administered in their regular classroom. One of their usual teachers and one or two researchers were present during administration to clarify any of the adolescents’ questions that arose.

9. Sample characteristics BoysGirlsTotal Age 12 282245527 13 273301574 14 291350641 15 254250504 16 285402687 17 215247462 18 5059109 Total 1650 (47.09%) 1854 (52.91%) 3504

10. RESULTS Self-categorization as audiovisual media consumers I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumerTotal Internet Boy851873976123681649 Girl421624156875401846 Total12734981212999083495 3.63%9.99%23.23%37.17%25.98%100% Mobile Boy3634884332511131648 Girl1473175354703771846 Total5108059687214903494 14.60%23.04%27.70%20.64%14.02%100% TV Boy65357774363871646 Girl70362914420801846 Total13571916887831673492 3.87%20.69%48.34%22.42%4.78%100% Video- games Boy1383334934162681648 Girl825575265124581847 Total9639087585403263495 27.55%25.98%21.69%15.45%9.33%100%

11. RESULTS Means and correlation among well-being measures PWI-7SWLSOLS PWI-7r= 1r= 0.560**r= 0.601** SWLSr= 1r= 0.542** OLS r= 1 Significant: ** p<0.001 PWI-7SWLSOLS Boys80.517.188.12* Girls79.027.167.97 Total 79.727.178.04 Means Correlation Gender significant differences: * p= 0.02

12. RESULTS Well-being measures according to self-categorization as consumers of different audiovisual media I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer TV PWI-781.4478.6879.4381.4377.94 SWLS7.157.077.267.126.92 OLS8.037.958.098.067.72 Video- games PWI-779.2978.9381.8378.5480.28 SWLS7.217.147.187.147.19 OLS7.928.028.078.108.22 Internet PWI-778.1978.8979.6978.9481.40 SWLS6.887.097.237.217.14 OLS8.028.048.118.028.00 Mobile PWI-780.3178.9778.9381.4480.24 SWLS7.297.077.187.197.15 OLS8.298.018.077.977.85 I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer TV PWI-781.4477.94 SWLS7.266.92 OLS8.097.72 Video- games PWI-781.8378.54 SWLS7.217.14 OLS7.928.22 Internet PWI-778.1981.40 SWLS6.887.23 OLS8.118.00 Mobile PWI-778.9381.44 SWLS7.297.07 OLS8.297.85

13. TV I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy84.4*80.24*78.8383.5681.26* Girl78.7877.1279.9479.5874.47 Total81.4478.6879.4381.4377.94 SWLS Boy7.237.147.227.127.26* Girl7.087.007.317.126.56 Total7.157.077.267.126.92 OLS Boy8.188.098.078.148.47* Girl7.887.828.118.006.91 Total8.037.958.098.067.72 TV I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy84.4*78.8383.5681.26* Girl78.7879.9479.5874.47 SWLS Boy7.237.227.127.26* Girl7.087.317.126.56 OLS Boy8.188.098.078.148.47* Girl7.887.828.118.006.91 * p<0.001 Gender significant differences. RESULTS Well-being measures according to self-categorization as TV consumers

14. VIDEO- GAMES I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy80.5578.8783.2278.6780.25 Girl79.0978.9679.1678.0980.39 Total79.2978.9381.8378.5480.28 SWLS Boy7.207.097.267.147.21 Girl7.217.177.037.177.06 Total7.217.147.187.147.19 OLS Boy7.917.968.158.138.33* Girl7.928.067.938.007.72 Total7.928.028.078.18.22 VIDEO- GAMES I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy83.2278.67 Girl78.0980.39 SWLS Boy7.097.26 Girl7.217.03 OLS Boy7.918.33* Girl7.937.72 * p<0.001 Gender significant differences. RESULTS Well-being measures according to self-categorization as Video-Games consumers

15. INTERNET I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy79.0279.2180.178.6684.98 Girl76.0078.5379.2979.1978.99 Total78.1978.8979.6978.9481.4 SWLS Boy7.097.137.177.147.30* Girl6.467.047.287.277.03 Total6.887.097.237.217.14 OLS Boy7.968.018.128.098.26** Girl8.128.078.107.977.82 Total8.028.048.118.028.00 Gender significant differences: * p<0.001 ** p<0.0005 INTERNET I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy78.6684.98 Girl76.0079.29 SWLS Boy7.097.30* Girl6.467.28 OLS Boy7.968.26** Girl8.127.82 RESULTS Well-being measures according to self-categorization as Internet consumers

16. MOBILE I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy79.3078.6279.3686.7582.63* Girl82.82*77.9878.5778.679.56 Total80.3178.9778.9381.4480.24 SWLS Boy7.217.077.147.307.49* Girl7.517.087.227.137.06 Total7.297.077.187.197.15 OLS Boy8.208.018.098.148.35** Girl8.518.018.057.887.70 Total8.298.018.077.977.85 Gender significant differences: * p<0.001 ** p<0.0005 MOBILE I never or hardly ever watch/use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI Boy79.3086.7582.63* Girl82.82*77.98 SWLS Boy7.077.49* Girl7.517.06 OLS Boy8.018.35** Girl8.517.70 RESULTS Well-being measures according to self-categorization as mobile phone consumers

17. DISCUSSION (I) Summarizing:  How do adolescents categorize themselves as audiovisual media consumers?  Well-being seems to be lower among girls than boys according to the 3 indicators used (PWI-7, SWLS and OLS), although only OLS shows a significant difference.  Two opposite significant trends appear when analyzing the relationship between self-categorization as audiovisual consumers and well-being : Video-games: ▲ consumer  ▲ OLS Mobile phone: ▲ consumer  ▼ OLS None & low consumersQuite high & very high consumers 63% 53% 35% 52% 27% 28% 25% 14%

18. DISCUSSION (II) Gender differences in well-being according to self-categorization as consumers of different audiovisual media Very High consumer  PWI PWI SWLS OLS Very High consumer  SWLS Very High consumer  OLS Low consumer  SWLS Low consumer  PWI Low consumer  SWLS Low consumer  OLS Very High consumer  SWLS Very High consumer  OLS

19. DISCUSSION (III) Gender differences in well-being according to self-categorization as consumers of different audiovisual media I never or hardly ever use it I'm a low consumer I'm an average consumer I'm quite a high consumer I'm a very high consumer PWI-7 SWLS OLS

20. DISCUSSION (IV)  The three measures used to evaluate well-being coincide in giving a high score for adolescents, with few differences between responses from boys and girls.  Authors such as Kubey & Csikszentmilahy (1990) and Buckingham (2002) state that TV and other audiovisual media have a negative impact on subjective well-being in the adult population. In our study of an adolescent population, we observe that young people show satisfaction and well-being when they use audiovisual media.  The results obtained generally display congruence in the three measures of well-being: when boys categorize themselves as very high consumers of TV and mobile phones, they display higher levels of well-being. In the case of Internet, this relationship is only observed when well-being is evaluated using the SWLS and the OLS. For videogames, the indicators only coincide when young people categorize themselves as average consumers.

21. DISCUSSION (VII)  These differences indicate that some of the results obtained vary according to the instrument used to explore well-being.  Future research should carry out a more in-depth analysis of gender differences using other types of statistical analysis.  It would also be interesting to explore reasons why well-being among adolescents in some cases differs according to the well-being measure used.  Furthermore, other multidimensional quantitative measures and qualitative research techniques might also be used.

22. BIBLIOGRAPHY  Bressand, A. & Distler, C. (1995). La planète relationnelle. París: Flammarion. (Trad. castellà: El planeta relacional. Barcelona: Proa, 1997).  Buckingham, D. (2002). Crecer en la era de los medios electrónicos. Madrid: Ediciones Morata, S.L.  Casas, F., Madorell, L., Figuer, C., González, M., Malo, S., García, M., Bertran, I., Cebrián, N., Carpena, D., Martín, A. & Babot, N. (2007). Preferències i expectatives dels adolescents relatives a la televisió a Catalunya. Barcelona: Consell Audiovisual de Catalunya.  Cummins, R.A. (2003). Normative life satisfaction: Measurement issues and a homeostatic model. Social Indicators Research, 64, 225-256.  Cummins, R.A., Eckersley, R., Van Pallant, J., Vugt, J., & Misajon, R. (2003). Developing a national index of subjective well-being: The Australian Unity Well- being Index. Social Indicators Research, 64, 159-190. Available: (http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/acqol/instruments/wellbeing_index.htm).http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/acqol/instruments/wellbeing_index.htm  Del Río, P. (1996). Psicología de los medios de comunicación. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, S.A.  Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R. & Smith, H.L. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49 (1), 71-75.  Kubey, R. & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Television and quality of life: How viewing everyday experience. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Erlbaum.

23. THANKS TO The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science through the National Plan of Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation, for research project, with reference SEJ2007-62813/PSIC.

24. Subjective well-being among Spanish adolescents according to their self-categorization as audiovisual media consumers Ferran Casas, Sara Malo, Irma Bertran, Carme Montserrat & Mònica González http://www.udg.edu/eridiqv