“Sexting” and adult romantic attachment

Weisskirch, Robert S.; Delevi, Raquel

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2011.02.008

Cited by 194 publications

(140 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…More importantly, sending these messages was not a predictor of relationship satisfaction, except among those with insecure attachment patterns and, in the case of sexually explicit pictures, among men. These results are consistent with previous research that links sexting behavior with insecure attachment patterns, 11,16 but they call into question suggestions that sexting may be used as an intervention strategy to increase intimacy among couples. 3 In fact, the results suggest that sexting may not play a positive role in most secure married or committed cohabiting relationships.…”

Section: Limitations and Conclusionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…A major difference between the Parker et al 3 study and previous work on sexting and relationship quality 11,16 is the way in which sexting was measured. Drouin 3 had participants indicate the highest rated type of message they had sent partners from 1 = ''small talk'' to 5 = ''nude photos or videos, acts along with explicit language about sex acts or intent to meet with person to engage in acts.''…”

mentioning

confidence: 65%

“…For example, approximately 12% of husbands and wives sent nude or nearly nude photos to their partners versus approximately 20-30% of young adults who have done so. 9,16,28 There are several potential explanations for these disparate findings. First, it may be, as was hypothesized, that older individuals are less impulsive and less prone to risk taking than their younger counterparts and therefore more carefully evaluate the risks of their sexual images being catapulted into cyberspace (or found on their phone by others).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Additionally, with consideration for the previously found links between attachment and sexting, 11,16 and the nonsignificant correlations between sexting and relationship satisfaction in the Parker et al 3 study, it was expected that:…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Again, research in this area has been fairly consistent: Sending sexually explicit messages and propositioning sex via text message is more common among those who have insecure (i.e., anxious or avoidant) attachments with partners. 11,16 According to Drouin and Landgraff, 11 those with insecure attachment patterns may engage in sexting more often because they are either trying to use sexting as a hyperactivating strategy 17,18 to draw partners nearer so that they will not abandon them (anxious attachment), or they are using sexting as a deactivating strategy 17,18 to satisfy sexual needs while keeping their partners at a distance (avoidant attachment). Thus, sexting has been linked to relationship insecurity rather than relationship wellbeing.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Sexting Among Married Couples: Who Is Doing It, and Are They More Satisfied?

McDaniel

Drouin

2015

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

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This study examined the prevalence and correlates of sexting (i.e., sending sexual messages via mobile phones) within a sample of married/cohabiting couples (180 wives and 175 husbands). Married adults do sext each other, but it is much less common than within young adult relationships, and consists mainly of sexy or intimate talk (29% reported engaging in sexy talk with partners) rather than sexually explicit photos or videos (12% reported sending nude or nearly-nude photos). Sending sexy talk messages was positively related to relationship satisfaction only among those with high levels of avoidance, and sending sexually explicit pictures was related to satisfaction for men, and for women with high levels of attachment anxiety. Additionally, sending sexually explicit pictures was related to greater ambivalence among both men and women. These findings support and extend previous research with young adults.

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Section: Limitations and Conclusionsupporting

confidence: 82%

mentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Sexting Among Married Couples: Who Is Doing It, and Are They More Satisfied?

McDaniel

Drouin

2015

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

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Association of Sexting With Sexual Behaviors and Mental Health Among Adolescents

et al. 2019

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IMPORTANCE Sexting is the exchange of sexual messages, photographs, or videos via technological devices and is common and increasing among youth. Although various studies have examined the association between sexting, sexual behaviors, and mental health, results are mixed. OBJECTIVE To provide a meta-analytic synthesis of studies examining the associations between sexting, sexual behavior, and mental health using sex, age, publication date, and study methodological quality as moderators. DATA SOURCES Electronic searches were conducted in April 2018 in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science, yielding 1672 nonduplicate records. STUDY SELECTION Studies were included if participants were younger than 18 years and an association between sexting and sexual behaviors or mental health risk factors was examined. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS All relevant data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to derive odds ratios (ORs). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Sexual behavior (sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, lack of contraception use) and mental health risk factors (anxiety/depression, delinquent behavior, and alcohol, drug use, and smoking). RESULTS Participants totaled 41 723 from 23 included studies. The mean (range) age was 14.9 (11.9-16.8) years, and 21 717 (52.1%) were female. Significant associations were observed between sexting and sexual activity (16 studies; OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.71-4.92), multiple sexual partners (5 studies; OR, 5.37; 95% CI, 2.72-12.67), lack of contraception use (6 studies; OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.08-4.32), delinquent behavior (3 studies; OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.29-4.86), anxiety/depression (7 studies; OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.41-2.28), alcohol use (8 studies; OR, 3.78; 95% CI, 3.11-4.59), drug use (5 studies; OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 2.24-5.40), and smoking behavior (4 studies; OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.88-3.76). Moderator analyses revealed that associations between sexting, sexual behavior, and mental health factors were stronger in younger compared to older adolescents. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Results of this meta-analysis suggest that sexting is associated with sexual behavior and mental health difficulties, especially in younger adolescents. Longitudinal research is needed to assess directionality of effects and to analyze the mechanisms by which sexting and its correlates are related. Educational campaigns to raise awareness of digital health, safety, and security are needed to help youth navigate their personal, social, and sexual development in a technological world.

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Sexual Communication in the Digital Age

Drouin

2015

The Wiley Handbook of Psychology, Technology, and Society

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“Sexting” and adult romantic attachment

Cited by 194 publications

References 15 publications

Sexting Among Married Couples: Who Is Doing It, and Are They More Satisfied?

Sexting Among Married Couples: Who Is Doing It, and Are They More Satisfied?

Association of Sexting With Sexual Behaviors and Mental Health Among Adolescents

Sexual Communication in the Digital Age

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