Images of sexual stereotypes in rap videos and the health of African American female adolescents

Objective: This study sought to determine whether perceiving portrayals of sexual stereotypes in rap music videos was associated with adverse health outcomes among African American adolescent females. Methods: African American female adolescents (n = 522) were recruited from community venues. Adolescents completed a survey consisting of questions on sociodemographic characteristics, rap music video viewing habits, and a scale that assessed the primary predictor variable, portrayal of sexual stereotypes in rap music videos. Adolescents also completed an interview that assessed the health outcomes and provided urine for a marijuana screen. Results: In logistic regression analyses, adolescents who perceived more portrayals of sexual stereotypes in rap music videos were more likely to engage in binge drinking (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.32 -11.04, p = 0.01), test positive for marijuana (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.19 -9.85, p = 0.02), have multiple sexual partners (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.01 -3.71, p = 0.04), and have a negative body image (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.02 -2.26, p = 0.04). This is one of the first studies quantitatively examining the relationship between cultural images of sexual stereotypes in rap music videos and a spectrum of adverse health outcomes in African American female adolescents. Conclusions: Greater attention to this social issue may improve the health of all adolescent females.