Jessica D. Zurcher’s research while affiliated with Brigham Young University and other places

This study examined Disney studios’ portrayals of race as it relates to the physical, mental, and social characteristics of major characters ( N = 319) within Disney animated films released from 1937 to 2021 ( N = 59). Findings revealed most of the characters featured were portrayed as White (68.3%) whereas BIPOC characters made up 31.7% of the total. Results suggest that BIPOC characters were significantly more likely to be featured in supporting character roles, with White characters featured in both the protagonist and antagonist roles. We further observed a limited integration of characters of varying races in a singular film.

Research grounded in religious studies and attachment theory demonstrates links between experiencing and resolving faith crises with a perceived break and restoration of a relationship with God. Experiences of faith crises are unique, however, and little research has explored the diverse ways in which faith can be restored—particularly from a messaging perspective. The present study used Q methodology to capture the varied and nuanced messages that resonated with Christian respondents who had experienced and resolved a faith crisis. The Q-sort consisted of 37 statements that participants sorted on a nine-category continuum. Brief, semistructured qualitative interviews followed the Q-sort. The results identified four distinct factors that conveyed unique messages about an individual’s return to religion and/or spirituality after experiencing a crisis of faith: (1) resilient God Seekers, (2) self-compassionates, (3) marathon runners, and (4) scripture seekers. Thus, the present study suggests that religious organizations and practitioners should refrain from using a generalized approach in their communication with members who struggle with faith as the participants gravitated toward separate, distinct, and unique messaging.

This study explores the longitudinal effect of princess body size of children’s favorite Disney princesses on young children’s body esteem and gendered play over a 1-year period using a sample of 320 children, age 3½ at Time 1 and age 4½ at Time 2. Girls whose favorite princess had an average body size engaged in more masculine-type play a year later, but there were no associations between princesses’ body size and developmental outcomes for boys. Children whose favorite princess had an average body size showed a positive relationship between playing pretend princess and body esteem, masculine-type play, and feminine-type play. Children whose favorite princess was thin did not show a relationship between playing pretend princess and body esteem, masculine-type play, or feminine-type play. Our findings suggest that princesses with average body sizes create a protective context for children’s body esteem and may encourage both masculine- and feminine-type play by modeling both masculine and feminine activities and behaviors.

This study examined body representation as it relates to the physical, mental, and social qualities of major characters (N = 323) within Disney animated films released from 1937 to 2019. The content analysis began with Snow White (1937) and ended with Frozen II (2019), resulting in an examination of animated and computer-animated human characters found in 61 films. The findings revealed that many of the assessed body representations reflected patterns found in related research—with a majority of characters portrayed with either average or above-average body weights. Nevertheless, nuances in the data emerged, with a perpetuation of the “beauty is good” theme, dissonance between the current study and previous literature in representations of Black body weights and positive attributes such as character leadership associated with average or above-average body weights. The authors call for further research as Disney continues to serve as a global, high-consuming children’s media source.

Objective: Through the use of eye-tracking technology, this study explores the efficacy of current alcohol responsibility messages viewed by adolescents and proposes the development of new alcohol warning message design. Method: An adolescent sample (N = 121; 72 males) was shown 14 advertisements (4 alcohol, 10 non-alcohol) in randomized order featuring messages modified by type size, type contrast, and message content (a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design). Results: Results suggested that modifying message content to include direct language and a consequence enhances recall and attention to alcohol responsibility messages among adolescents. No significant differences in attentional outcomes were observed for messages that included variances in type size or type contrast. Conclusions: Overall, to increase attention to and recall of alcohol responsibility messages, the greatest efficacy lies in varying the message itself, irrespective of size or contrast.

Depictions of gender in media are often scrutinized for stereotypical patterns. Disney films are of particular interest, as they are often watched by children and may play a role in children’s gender socialization. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to assess gender depictions of characters in animated Disney films (released between 1937 and 2019; 61 films with 323 characters total), and second, to explore depictions of gender in Disney animated films coupled with an analysis of the gender of those involved in the production of these films (producers, directors, and writers). We found a significant difference in the number of male and female characters (roughly 60% male, 40% female), which did not significantly differ by decade. Female characters were more consistently depicted as attractive compared to male characters, although character’s intelligence, ability, popularity, activity level, family role, story role, and romantic engagement did not differ by gender. Male characters were more often represented as parents or children in films written by women, and female characters were more often represented as the antagonist in films written by men. Male characters were over-represented as overly active in films produced by women, and female characters were over-represented as grandparents in films produced by women. These findings revealed few stereotypical gendered depictions of characters in Disney films over nine decades and that the inclusion of women in the production process resulted in more nuanced depictions of both male and female characters.

This paper examines depictions of SES in Disney animated films to learn about the stereotypes of different socioeconomic status (SES) groups that these films reinforce or dispel. As Disney films are frequently watched by children, and may have important developmental implications for the internalization of stereotypes. Sixty-one animated Disney films were coded f (323 characters). Characters were coded for their SES and various roles and behaviors. Results suggest low SES characters are underrepresented compared to the US population, and that Disney’s portrayal of SES both reinforces and contradicts stereotypes. Impact Statement Prior State of Knowledge: Socioeconomic status is a significant factor in children’s development. As Disney media is often watched by children, the stereotypes of SES in Disney films are important to understand. Novel Contributions: Overall, this research indicates that low SES characters are underrepresented compared to the general US population and are more often racial minorities than mid and high SES characters. Few other characteristics examined, however, were significantly different based on SES. Practical Implications: Parents should be aware of and discuss the racial differences in socioeconomic status in Disney films with children. Furthermore, future research should examine the effect of depictions of socioeconomic status in children’s media on children’s stereotypes.

Smartphones are ubiquitous in American lives and can interfere with parent-child relationships. This technoference, or the interruption of interpersonal time by technology, has been associated with negative parent-child interactions and can indirectly threaten child safety. Nonetheless, little is known concerning possible precursors or factors that may exacerbate parental technoference. The current study explored new parents' media usage and technoference beliefs as they relate to executive function, or ones’ ability to engage in higher cognitive processes such as attention, impulse control, and task coordination. Responses indicated that both fathers and mothers were more supportive of technoference attitudes in association with digital media use (i.e., text messaging and social media). Regarding executive function, parental difficulties in executive functions were associated with an increased amount of digital media use, though media use was not a mediating factor between executive functions and technoference attitudes and beliefs. These findings emphasize the importance of boosting executive function skills and assessing parental media consumption.

Many studies have found a link between time spent using social media and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. However, the existing research is plagued by cross-sectional research and lacks analytic techniques examining individual change over time. The current research involves an 8-year longitudinal study examining the association between time spent using social media and depression and anxiety at the intraindividual level. Participants included 500 adolescents who completed once-yearly questionnaires between the ages of 13 and 20. Results revealed that increased time spent on social media was not associated with increased mental health issues across development when examined at the individual level. Hopefully these results can move the field of research beyond its past focus on screen time.