To sext or not to sext. The role of social-cognitive processes in the decision to engage in sexting

Abstract

Technology has given rise to online behaviors such as sexting. It is important that we examine predictors of such behavior in order to understand who is more likely to sext and thus inform intervention aimed at sexting awareness. We used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine sexting beliefs and behavior. Participants (n = 418; 70.3% women) completed questionnaires assessing attitudes (instrumental and affective), subjective norms (injunctive and descriptive), control perceptions (self-efficacy and controllability) and intentions toward sexting. Specific sexting beliefs (fun/carefree beliefs, perceived risks and relational expectations) were also measured and sexting behavior reported. Relationship status, instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, descriptive norm and self-efficacy were associated with sexting intentions. Relationship status, intentions and self-efficacy related to sexting behavior. Results provide insight into the social-cognitive factors related to individuals’ sexting behavior and bring us closer to understanding what beliefs predict the behavior.

Theory of Planned Behaviour and Sexting Intention of College Student

“…The results of this study provide evidence that relationship status has a significant impact on emerging adults’ sexting intentions and are consistent with the findings of previous studies (Klettke et al, 2014; Wilson et al, 2021). According to the results of previous studies, sexting is more common among individuals in relationships than singles (Weisskirch & Delevi, 2011) and is frequently used to maintain and enhance romantic relationships (Currin et al, 2017; Van Ouytsel et al, 2017).…”

“…However, the second hypothesis about the relationship between SN and sexting intention was not supported. The data on the relationship between attitude and PBC and sexting are consistent with other research on sexting (e.g., Liong & Cheng, 2017;Walrave et al, 2014;Wilson et al, 2021) and demonstrate the utility of using TPB in the sexting context. Our finding that PBC predicts sexting intentions supports the view that sexters are perceived as self-efficacious or, in other words, have more confidence in sexting (Liong & Cheng, 2017;Wilson et al, 2021).…”

“…A positive association between SN and sexting existed only among females, while PBC was negatively associated with sexting among both males and females, although this association was stronger among males. More recently, Wilson et al (2021) confirmed that attitudes and SN were associated with sexting intentions and intentions related to sexting behavior in a wide age range of participants (18-55 years; 73.5% were 18-30 years old), primarily of British nationality. In addition to examining TPB beliefs, to our knowledge, only two studies have examined the relative importance of the major beliefs underlying TPB components.…”

“…To our knowledge, several studies have demonstrated the value of TPB in predicting sexting behavior (e.g., Hudson & Fetro, 2015; Liong & Cheng, 2017; Walrave et al, 2013; Wilson et al, 2021). For instance, Walrave et al (2013) found that all TPB components (i.e., attitudes, SN, and PBC) significantly predicted sexting intentions in a sample of adolescents from the United States.…”

The Role of Consent and Motivations in Sext Dissemination

“…A recent meta-analysis (Mori et al, 2020) estimated that among young adults, 38% had sent sexts, 42% had received sexts, 48% had engaged in reciprocal sending, and 15% had non-consensually forwarded sexts, with all rates increasing in recent years and figures likely underestimating current data. However, whilst sexting behaviors are not uncommon and are often endorsed by peers from an early age as normative (Wilson et al, 2021), they have been associated with a range of harms (e.g., Gassó et al, 2020; Mori et al, 2019).…”