Abstract
Sexting has been identified as an emerging online phenomenon among adolescents. However, research investigating its behavioural correlates and the sexting behaviours (i.e., sending and/or receiving) is still scarce. The present study investigated the association between different sexting behaviours and various behavioural problems among Irish adolescents. A sample of 848 students aged 15–18 participated in the study (Mage = 16.4 years). A self-report measure assessing the sharing of sexual images among teenagers was created and administered for the purpose of this study. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was adopted to detect emotional and behavioural problems. Findings showed that senders of sexts are more likely to be girls, whereas receivers are more likely to be boys. Two-way sexting (i.e., sending and receiving sexts) was more prominent among boys, LGBTQ adolescents, and positively associated with peer problems. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical relevance.
Highlights
With H1, the findings of the chi square analysis indicated a significant difference for gender where females were generally more likely to be asked to send sexts compared to males [x2 (2, n = 810) = 37.24, p < .001); η2 = 0.05]
This study primarily investigated adolescent sexting and its preva lence and behavioural correlates in a relatively large sample of Irish students
Findings show that receiving sexts is more common (9.4%) than sending them (4.3%)
Summary
Sexting is defined as the “sending or receiving of sexually explicit or sexually suggestive nude or semi-nude images or video", usually via mobile devices 50; Patchin and Hinduja, 2019a). Sexting is increasingly common among adolescents and might be viewed as a way of flirting to express or confirm interest in another person. Adolescents exchange sexual images of themselves with their romantic partners or with someone they would start a relationship, in order to flirt, attract, arouse or initiate sexual activity (Bianchi, Morelli, Baiocco, & Chirumbolo, 2016). Suggestive messages are sent either to platonic friends, desired, or established partners, as a way of joking around (Lippman & Campbell, 2014)
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