Under pressure to sext? Applying the theory of planned behaviour to adolescent sexting

Abstract

Adolescent sexting -the electronic swapping of sexually intimate texts or images -has attracted significant media and policy attention. However, questions remain about the predictors of this phenomenon, in which mobile phones play a central role in adolescents' exploration of sexuality. Therefore, a survey involving 498 adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years was conducted. The first aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of personal attitudes, subjective norm (SN) and perceived behavioural control by applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). As the second aim, we wish to assess the relative importance of the most salient beliefs underpinning the TPB components, since this will allow us to gain a more nuanced insight into the characteristics of adolescent sexting. Analyses reveal that SN is the most important predictor, followed by adolescents' attitudes towards sexting. Perceived behavioural control is significantly but weakly associated with teenagers' sexting intentions. Within SN, friends and romantic partners represent the most important sources of social pressure, while only positive behavioural outcomes are found to affect adolescents' sexting intentions. The most important control belief affecting adolescents' intention to sext is the belief that it occurs relatively more often among those whom adolescents feel they can trust entirely.

Sexting: Between Thrill and Fear—How Schools Can Respond

“…A quantitative study comparing the influence of personal attitudes toward sexting and the role of peer influence found that young people were more influenced by the social pressure they anticipate than their own personal evaluation of the consequences of sexting behavior. In other words, the more positive the perceived social pressure that originates from young people's social referents, especially their friends and romantic partner, the more adolescents were inclined to engage in sexting (Walrave, Heirman, and Hallam 2014). In sum, the greatest "threat" that pushes young people into sexting behavior might not come from strangers but from their own peer groups (Ringrose et al 2012).…”

“…During prevention classes it is important to discuss that sexting is not the norm among teenagers. Only a minority of young people actually engage in this behavior (Ringrose et al 2012;Walrave et al 2014). An intervention strategy may also include the use of trained students who inform their schoolmates about the risks of sexting behavior.…”

“…The use of both genderseparated as well as gender-mixed discussion groups has also been part of an effective evidence-based intervention strategy regarding condom use and emergency contraception (Larsson et al 2006). • Be aware that sexting behavior is influenced by perceived peer norms (Lippman and Campbell 2014;Walrave et al 2014). During prevention classes it is important to discuss that sexting is not the norm among teenagers.…”

“…Such discussions could include steps that students can follow when sexts have been forwarded or published online. Strategies that teach students how to respond assertively to requests for sexts should also be discussed during these classes (Ringrose et al 2012;Walrave et al 2014). • Use current educational materials about sexting with realistic and recognizable sexting scenarios.…”

Whether or not to engage in sexting: Explaining adolescent sexting behaviour by applying the prototype willingness model

“…Moreover, as adolescents are highly influenced by their peers, the PWM could add to the research that has been conducted based on the TRA or TPB (Walrave et al, 2014), as it incorporates a social reaction path next to the reasoned path. Therefore, the PWM may offer a more robust framework than the TRA for predicting adolescents risk-taking behaviour, as they make decisions under conditions of emotional arousal rather than present themselves with rational arguments, especially in behaviour that entails some level of risk (Gardner and Steinberg, 2005).…”