Publication
Title
An exploratory study of sexting behaviors among heterosexual and sexual minority early adolescents
Author
Abstract
Purpose Although research on adolescent sexting—the sending of self-made sexually explicit pictures through digital media—has increased in recent years, prior studies have primarily focused on older youth and the act of sending of such images. Little is known about the experiences of early adolescent sexual minority youth, who might be particularly vulnerable to abusive forms of sexting. To address this gap in the literature, we aim to investigate differences in the prevalence of a wide range of sexting behaviors among a convenience sample of heterosexual and sexual minority early adolescents. Methods A survey was conducted among 3,109 adolescents (53.5% girls; n = 1,647) aged between 12 and 15 years (mean = 13.01 years; standard deviation = .83). We examined differences in sexting behavior by sexual orientation, controlling for gender, age, and amount of Internet use. Results The results show that sexual minority youth were more likely to have sent, received, and asked for sexting images. They were also more likely to have experienced pressure to send sexually explicit pictures. There were no associations between sexual minority status and the perpetration of nonconsensual forms of sexting. Conclusions Several types of sexting were not uncommon among heterosexual and sexual minority youth. Clinicians and counselors should be aware that sexual minority youth are more likely to experience, but not to perpetrate, abusive sexting behaviors. The results underscore the need for educational efforts to focus on resilience training for sexual minority adolescents.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of adolescent health. - New York, N.Y.
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 2019
ISSN
1054-139X
DOI
10.1016/J.JADOHEALTH.2019.06.003
Volume/pages
65 :5 (2019) , p. 621-626
ISI
000491239600011
Pubmed ID
31473082
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Cyber dating abuse among early adolescents: Towards a comprehensive understanding of monitoring behaviors and sexting under pressure.
Sexting among young adolescents – focusing on sexting under pressure and secondary sexting.
BOF Sabbatical Leave - Michel Walrave.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.08.2019
Last edited 12.11.2024
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