Adolescents and parasocial interaction with local entertainment celebrities

Abstract

This study investigated adolescents‟ parasocial interaction with local entertainment celebrities in Ghana. It assessed the gender difference in adolescents‟ parasocial interaction and the relationship between parasocial interaction and interpersonal attraction. The study adopted the quantitative research approach and the descriptive survey design was used. A sample size of 800 adolescents and 736 responses were gathered from students of Apam Senior High School and Winneba Senior High School who were the respondents for this study. Parasocial interaction was measured using the 10 item parasocial interaction scale: interpersonal attraction was also measured with the 3-section interpersonal attraction scale. Questionnaires were used to collect data and the data gathered was analysed using the descriptive analysis technique via SPSS. Parasocial interaction theory and the theory of identification formed the theoretical underpinning of the study. The results of the study indicated that, adolescents experienced Parasocial Interaction (PSI) with local entertainment celebrities mainly through television. The parasocial interaction experienced was intense among all adolescents, and the difference in gender was statistically insignificant. It was also found that both male and female adolescents feel attracted to local entertainment celebrities and there was no significant gender difference. There was a strong and positive relationship between parasocial interaction and interpersonal attraction among adolescents. These findings demonstrate that local entertainment celebrities have a strong influence on adolescents in Ghana. It also reflects the perceptions of adolescents about local entertainment celebrities.