Sexting: predictive and protective factors for its perpetration and victimisation

Sexting is a phenomenon that has only recently been recognised as a sexual offence, specifically when such communications are directed towards a child. The current study sought to investigate the use of sexting by adults and whether it is utilised as a mechanism to sexually engage with victims under the age of 16. Self-worth, sexual self-worth, and resilience were also examined as factors potentially relating to perpetration and/or victimisation. Participants (n = 285) were recruited via opportunity sampling using an online questionnaire methodology. The results indicated sexting is being used by adults in an attempt to sexually engage with minors. It was found that males who had been victims of sexting were likely to become perpetrators, however, this was not the case for females. There were no statistically significant findings for self-worth, sexual self-worth, and resilience as predictors of victimisation. Implications for forensic practice, research and policy are discussed

Sexual self-esteem, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in Portuguese heterosexual university students

Sexual functioning plays a significant role in an individual's sexual satisfaction; nevertheless, thus far little attention has been paid to the mediating role of sexual self-esteem. The current study aims to analyse sexual self-esteem effect on the relationship between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction among Portuguese heterosexual university students. Data from 438 students were obtained via online sampling and analysed assessing sexual self-esteem, sexual functioning and satisfaction. The main findings indicated that sexual functioning was a significant predictor of sexual satisfaction. Moreover, sexual self-esteem appears to partially mediate the relationship between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Practical implications for safe sex education programmes for universities are discussed.This study was conducted at Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653)