Celebrity idolization among Singaporean adolescents : materialism, self-esteem and life satisfaction.

• Main Author: Poo, Yip Ling.
• Other Authors: Chia, Stella Chih-Yun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Mass media::Media effects
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/1205
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study aims to examine how adolescents’ media use is related to their idolization of entertainment celebrities through parasocial interaction. In addition, we explored the possible consequences of celebrity idolization, namely materialism, negative influences on the adolescents’ self-esteem and life satisfaction through their social comparison with their favourite celebrities. A survey with 621 secondary school students (aged 11 to 18 years old) was conducted. The results revealed that media attention (TV, radio and newspaper) is positively associated with the level of parasocial interaction with the favourite celebrity. Parasocial interaction in turn, was significantly associated with celebrity idolization. The proposed relationship between celebrity idolization and the adolescents’ level of social comparison with their favourite celebrities was partially supported. The adolescents’ level of social comparison with their favourite celebrities was found to be associated with the adolescents’ materialistic values but not their self-esteem and life satisfaction.