Age and Sex Differences in Early Adolescent's Information Sources

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of age and sex on the information sources to which early adolescents turn when confronted with questions concerning general life issues. A total of 615 male and female adolescents ranging in age from 10 to 14 years, responded to a questionnaire consisting of 15 different sources of information. Analysis of the preferred information source utilizing log linear models indicated significant age and sex effects. Specifically, at each age level the odds of a female choosing mother as opposed to father as a source of information was 14 times greater than the same odds were for males. Additionally, it was found that both sexes increasingly rely on peers as age increases, but females rely on peers earlier and to a greater extent across all ages than do their male counterparts. The results are discussed in relation to the available literature concerning adolescent informational sources.