Risks, Risk Factors, and Outcomes Associated with Phone and Internet Sexting Among University Students in the United States

Sexting, defined as the exchange of sexually suggestive pictures or messages via mobile phone or social networking sites (SNS), has received media attention for its prevalence and associated negative outcomes; however, research has not yet fully established risk factors for and resulting outcomes from sexting behaviors. The current study was the first empirical test of a causal path model in males and females, in which impulsivity-related traits and expectancies influence sexual behaviors through phone and SNS sexting. We also examined prevalence and perceived likelihood of common negative outcomes associated with sexting. Multiple regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) statistics were conducted on two independent undergraduate samples (n = 611 and 255). The best fitting SEM model (RMSEA = 0.04, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.94, and χ2 = 176.06, df = 75, p < .001) demonstrated a significant indirect effect of sensation seeking on phone sexting behaviors through sex-related sexting expectancies and a significant indirect effect of sensation seeking on sexual hookup behaviors through phone sexting behaviors (b = 0.06, p = .03), but only for females. Reverse mediations and mediation with SNS were not significant. Negative outcomes were rare: sexts being spread to others was the most common negative sexting experience (n = 21, 12 %). This study suggests the viability of personality and expectancies affecting sexual hookup behaviors through engagement in sexting behaviors. It also suggests that although direct negative outcomes associated with sexting are thought to be common, they were rare in the current sample

Problematic alcohol use and sexting as risk factors for sexual assault among college women

Sexual assault is a major public health concern and college women are four times more likely to experience sexual assault than any other group. We investigated whether sexting is a mechanism by which alcohol use increases risk for college women to be targeted for sexual assault. We hypothesized that sexting would mediate the relationship between problem drinking and sexual assault, such that drinking (T1 = beginning fall semester) would contribute to increased sexting (T2 = end fall semester), and in turn increase the risk of being targeted for sexual assault (T3 = end spring semester). Results: Among 332 undergraduate women (M(SD)age = 19.15(1.69), 76.9% Caucasian), sexting (T2) predicted sexual assault (T3; b = 3.98, p = .05), controlling for baseline sexual assault (b = 0.82, p < .01). Further, sexting (T2) mediated the relationship between problem drinking (T1) and sexual assault (T3) (b = 0.04, CI[.004,.12]). Conclusion: Findings suggest that sexting is one mechanism through which drinking increases the risk of college women being targeted for sexual assault

Gender Differences in Participation in and Motivations for Sexting: The Effects of Gender Role Attitudes, Masculinity, and Femininity

Sexting, the exchange of sexually explicit messages, images, and videos through mobile phones, has in recent years become an increasingly publicized and common occurrence in our technologically advanced society (Strassberg, Rullo, & Mackaronis, 2014). The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of gender, gender role attitudes, and self-perceptions of masculinity and femininity on participation in and motivations for sexting. Using a cross-sectional design, a self-administered questionnaire was given to 222 Butler students during the early part of the spring 2016 academic semester. This questionnaire included items regarding demographics, the activity of sexting, personal participation in sexting, self-perceptions of masculinity and femininity, and gender role attitudes. While there was no gender difference in the frequency of sending sext messages, study results showed a significant relationship between gender and pressures to sext. Females are more likely to feel constrained by social norms when it comes to sexual behavior, whereas males have more freedom in this area. In addition, those with egalitarian gender role attitudes are more likely to accept sexting as a form of intimacy, indicating this technology has been integrated into sexual relationships

An Evolutionary Based Examination Of Sexting Behavior Among College Students

Previous research has viewed the sending and receiving of sexually natured text and picture messages as risky and dangerous behavior. It is through this lens that previous research has examined the reason individuals choose to engage in sexting, and the possible effects of the behavior. The current study is the first to examine the possible adaptive reasons that individuals may choose to engage in sexting. A total of 218 participants from Fort Hays State University completed measures of their sexting behaviors, attitudes towards sexual activity, and risk tolerance. It was hypothesized that an individual participants’ endorsement of a sex consistent mating strategy would be positively related to engagement in sexting behavior. Additionally it was thought that men with greater risk tolerance in the domain of mate attraction would engage in sexting more, and that women with greater risk tolerance in the domain of mate retention would engage in sexting more. It was also thought that participant expectancies regarding the outcome of sexting would interact with risk tolerance and mating strategy so that those with higher expectancies would sext more. Results indicate that both men and women who endorse a short term mating strategy sext more. Also, results suggested that individual risk tolerance in the domain of mate attraction were significant in the decision to engage in sexting. Additionally results showed that participants expectancies regarding the effects of sexting were significant in the decision to engage in sexting. The implications for these findings, the limitations of the current study and the need for further research in these areas are discussed

Reading between the Lines: Cultural Sexual Scripts and Collegiate Sexual Behaviors

Cultural sexual scripts provide individuals with a general understanding of how to respond in sexual situations given their environment. College students navigate the college culture keeping various elements of these sexual scripts in mind. Utilizing 1,007 undergraduates, the researcher investigated the current relevance of traditional sexual scripts and the relationships between various levels of cultural sexual scripts (i.e., the collective versus individual perceptions of them) and their relation to reported sexual engagement. Researchers also explored factors that predict these relationships. Results suggested current sexual scripts still largely reflect traditional ones, depending on the sexual behavior being assessed. Individual perceptions of current sexual scripts more closely aligned with actual behavior than collective scripts. Lastly, participant age, sex, and agreeableness generally predicted relationships between levels of cultural sexual scripts as well as between scripts and actual behavior. These findings suggest programming promoting sexual health on campuses should more specifically target one\u27s personal perceptions of cultural expectations rather than merely attempting to shift cultural expectations. Future research should continue to explore cultural sexual scripts as they relate to sexual engagement as well as additional levels of sexual scripts (e.g., interpersonal) to better understand how students\u27 sex lives interact with the current college culture

A MULTIPLE GOALS THEORETICAL APPROACH TO SEXTING: MESSAGE CONTENT AND SCALE DEVELOPMENT

Recently, sexting has gained popularity in both popular press and academic publications. Despite the prevalence of this communicative behavior, there is limited research that focuses on a theoretical explanation as well as how it can potentially enhance relationships. The purpose of this dissertation was threefold: to utilize the multiple goals theoretical perspective to examine sender goals when sexting, to assess if multiple goals within sexting was associated with relational behaviors and outcomes, and to develop a reliable and valid scale for sexting goals. A two-phase study was implemented. In phase 1, participants provided actual sexting messages they had recently sent to another person, and also provided their goal when they sent that particular message. Participants also answered scales related to relationship, communication, and sexual satisfaction, affectionate communication, and relational maintenance behaviors. Analytic coding was utilized for the open-ended responses regarding message content and goals, and the researcher also used the responses to develop participant- and theoretically-driven scales. Nine themes were identified for the type of goal participants had when sending sext messages. For phase 2, the proposed scale for the multiple goals of sexting was added to the preexisting survey. The researcher coded 204 sexting messages provided by participants as instrumental, relational, or identity goals and conducted multiple regressions to assess how the type of goal influenced each of the five relational outcomes. Multiple regressions revealed no significant associations among multiple goals and outcomes. Finally, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the proposed scale for the multiple goals of sexting. The EFA revealed a four-factor solution and the CFA demonstrated factorial validity for the scale. Post hoc analysis revealed significant associations for the goals from the scale and the relational outcomes. The results of this dissertation demonstrate that multiple goals are utilized in the context of sexting, and that specific goals are important for relational outcomes

Gender construction through adolescent sexting

Sexting is a behavior that is a result of male and female adolescents trying to adopt masculine and feminine characteristics, which are created by our cultural definitions of gender