Effect of violence films viewing on serum catecholamines and nitrites in male adolescents

ABSTRACT

This study is an attempt to determine the physiological effects of violence films viewing [VFV] in teenagers. For this purpose, 100 male teenagers volunteers [11-15 years] participated in this study. They were divided into 2 equal groups. The first group [Group I] was accustomed to VFV, while the second group [Group II] was not accustomed to VFV. Violence films [Natural Born Killer and Scream I "R-rated"] were viewed to participant volunteers for 3 hours. Blood samples were withdrawn before and after VFV [pre and post viewing samples]. Serum catecholamines [epinephrine [E], norepinephrine [N] and dopamine [D]] and nitrites [as an indicator of nitric oxide [NO]] were measured in pre-viewing and post viewing samples so that each participant acted as his own control. Results of the first group clearly revealed that serum catecholamines [E, N and D] levels were significantly increased. While nitrite levels were significantly decreased in post viewing samples compared to, pre- viewing samples. In the second group, serum E and nitrites were significantly increased, while serum N and D were significantly decreased in post viewing samples compared to pre-viewing samples. It is concluded that previous experience with VFV caused an aggressive stress response in group I; while lack of this past experience in group II was reflected as an attenuated stress response