Viewing Kana Television Dramas as predictor of Adolescents’ Psychosocial Developments: the Case of Jimma Town Preparatory Students in Oromia Regional State

Abstract

This study was intended to examine the influence of viewing kana television dramas on psychosocial developments of adolescents of Oromia special zone preparatory schools in Oromia region.  To address this objective, correlational research design was employed.  It was targeted on 349 participants selected by multistage and purposive sampling techniques.  Questionnaire and key informant interview guide were used to gather information from participants.  Furthermore, quantitative data analysis was used where multiple linear regression and independent sample t-test were applied.  Tikur Fikir drama was mostly explained peer interaction (β= 0.077, p= .024) while Kuzi Guni drama was mostly predicted adolescent-family interaction (β= 0.082, p= .022) and Kitat drama was mostly predicted adolescents’ identity development (β= 0.334, p= .018).  Independent sample t-test was conducted where there was non-statistically significant mean difference between gender in both peer interaction (male: x ̅=8,SD=1.27 and female: x ̅=8,SD=1.29 at t (332) = -1.45, p =. 149) and family interaction (male: x ̅=8,SD=1.58 and female: x ̅=8,SD=1.49 at t (332) = -.957, p =.321) whereas statistically significant mean difference was found in identity development of the participants((male: x ̅=29.45,SD=4.186 and female: x ̅=31,SD=3.705 at t (327) = -4.44, p< .05) while female adolescents were more influenced by the dramas than their counterparts.  Therefore, it was conclude kana television dramas influenced the psychosocial development of adolescents where awareness raising for both parents and students on monitoring the influences viewing the dramas and further studies are critically recommended in some important social variables including adolescents’ academic achievements, adolescents’ time management skills, and marriage relationships of the society members.