Uses and Dependency of Entertainment Television Among Mormon Young Adults

Abstract

The uses-and-dependency model recognizes the influence of both micro- and macroinfluences on decisions to use media; however, few studies have empirically tested the model. This study represents an attempt to test the uses-and-dependency model in the context of the television-use decisions of Mormon young adults. Students attending Brigham Young University (N = 216) completed a survey of how they make the decision to view television. A structural equation model of the results shows that dependency on entertainment television, as measured by a Television Affinity scale, is negatively related to moral authority but positively related to the personal gratifications sought from television by Mormon students. The results also show a strong relationship between television affinity and time spent with television. These results are consistent with predictions made by the uses-and-dependency perspective.