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Abstract: Previous research has suggested that young children primarily rely
on social support and behavioral, rather than cognitive, coping strategies when managing
fears of the dark and monsters. Research has also suggested that affirming reality may be
less effective than other means, such as positive pretense, in helping children cope with
fear. This thesis examined how preschool television ... read moreprograms addressed fear of the dark and
fear of monsters. Both quantitative and qualitative content analyses were conducted with a
sample of ten fear-related preschool programs. Results indicated that a variety of coping
strategies were portrayed, with behavioral strategies portrayed more frequently than
cognitive strategies. Reality affirmation was frequently presented, while positive pretense
was less frequently portrayed. Most coping instances in the sample involved some form of
social support. Future directions for research include further exploration of the impact
such television programs have on the development of fear-related coping repertoires in
young children.
Thesis (M.A.)--Tufts University, 2011.
Submitted to the Dept. of Child Development.
Advisor: Kathleen Camara.
Committee: Julie Dobrow, and Fred Rothbaum.
Keywords: Developmental Psychology, and Communication.read less
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