This study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexting behaviors (sexually explicit messages and/or pictures) among an at-risk sample of early adolescents as well as the associations between sexting behaviors and sexual behaviors, risk-related cognitions, and emotional regulation skills. It also aimed to determine whether differences in risk were associated with text-based versus photo-based sexts.
Seventh-grade adolescents participating in a sexual risk prevention trial for at-risk early adolescents completed a computer-based survey at baseline regarding sexting behavior (having sent sexually explicit messages and/or pictures), sexual activities, intentions to have sex, perceived approval of sexual activity, and emotional regulation skills.
Twenty-two percent of the sample reported having sexted in the past 6 months; sexual messages were endorsed by 17% (n = 71), sexual messages and photos by 5% (n = 21). Pictures were endorsed significantly more often by females (χ2[2] = 7.33, P = .03) and Latinos (χ2[2] = 7.27, P = .03). Sexting of any kind was associated with higher rates of engaging in a variety of sexual behaviors, and sending photos was associated with higher rates of sexual activity than sending text messages only. This was true for a range of behaviors from touching genitals over clothes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, P = .03) to oral sex (OR = 2.66, P < .01) to vaginal sex (OR = 2.23, P < .01).
Sexting behavior (both photo and text messages) was not uncommon among middle school youth and co-occurred with sexual behavior. These data suggest that phone behaviors, even flirtatious messages, may be an indicator of risk. Clinicians, parents, and health programs should discuss sexting with early adolescents.
Comments
Ambiguity of Definitions Within Sexuality
It is creditable to see the correlation made in the article Sexting and Sexual Behavior in At-Risk Adolescents. The diversity of students, both ethically and socioeconomically, adds to the validity of this study as multiple middle schools are being used. When it came to asking questions about sexual behavior, the sexual activity terms used where very broad and encompassed a wide range of sexual activities. Providing this language makes it simpler for the teens to clearly select the activity that most closely relates to his/her perceived sexual activity. Evidence shows that teens may engage in sexual behavior and not consider that behavior as coitarche; providing the unambiguous options allows for the various behaviors to be clearly defined and understood by the researcher and the students (Bersmin). By the same token, the ambiguity behind many definitions within this topic, such as sexual message, suggestive photo, sexting, etc. may lead to a discrepancy between what teens report and the definition. Would a message defined as sexting if the sender didn't intend on the message being read in a sexual manner (Walrave)?
There were a number of viewpoints with which I would have liked to see explored further, especially within the exclusion criteria. I believe that the study would be further affirmed by adding those individuals to the study who are pregnant, HIV positive or have exhibited sexually aggressive behavior. By adding these individuals, it would allow the connection between whether those individuals sexted prior to engaging in sexual behavior was related to the risk. I found it interesting that no test was used to determine which types of devices the students had readily access to. Based on the data in the article, it seems as though those with lower income are at a lower risk of sexting; the paper does not state whether this is due to not owning a cellphone, having a cellphone with service restricting text messaging, more restricted access to a computer/Internet at home and/or school. At the same time, looking further into the socioeconomic relationship to sexting would be an idea for future study in this population.
The research potential related to sexting seems endless but there were a few other research ideas that came to mind after reading this article. It would be interesting to look at the relationship between sexting in students of the same age range who are not considered to be "at risk" and how the risk behavior in that population compares. An interesting study could probe clinician counseling for middle school students who may be at risk for sexting, yet not be legally capable of consent or consider long-term implications.
References
Bersmin M, Fisher D, Walker S, Hill D, Grube J. Defining virginity and abstinence: Adolescents interpretation of sexual behavior. The Journal of Adolescent Health. Aug 2007, 41 (2). 182-188.
Walrave M, Heirman W, Hallam L. Under pressure to sext? Applying the theory of planned behavior to adolescent sexting. Behavior and Information Technology. January 2013, 33 (1). 86-98.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared