Aria Sengupta
Research Mentor(s): Kristen Leer
Mentor Department: Communication and Media
Authors: Aria Sengupta, Kristen Leer
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 3
Abstract
Trauma in media remains an underexplored area in media psychology, particularly in relation to identity-based perceptions of traumatic content. Understanding these dynamics is essential for fostering inclusive media representation and informing mental health discourse. This study utilized an exploratory survey that aimed to understand what traumatic media may look like for social media users, as well as the different ways they may respond to it. This survey-based research is informed by psychology, communication/media, critical cultural change, and digital studies. We collected 951 responses from participants who were between the ages of 18-40 years old and they must have identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Out of these participants, they took this exploratory survey which questions them about their social media engagement, life experiences, and exposure to traumatic media. Findings reveal that of the 71% (n=676) that reported seeing traumatic media, we found that there was significant relationships with perceived acute stress and experiencing a stress reaction to traumatic media based on shared identity and experience with the victims in this media.
