Does sexting predict sexual behaviors among adolescents? Gender and race effects

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21443716
AutoresMegan R Hicks (0000-0001-9317-7144, Wayne State University, autor de correspondencia), Poco D Kernsmith (0000-0002-5308-8566, Wayne State University), Poco Kernsmith (Wayne State University School of Social Work Woodward Ave Detroit MI 48202 United States), Joanne Smith‐Darden (Wayne State University)
Año2021
Volumen93
Número1
Páginas126-133
Fecha de publicación2021-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0140-1971 • E-ISSN: 1095-9254
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.10.010
PMID34749166
OpenAlexW3212381781
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas25

INTRODUCTION: Sexting has emerged as a significant public health issue. Sexting is associated with substance use and other sexual behaviors, such as oral and vaginal sex (Houck et al., 2014; Temple & Choi, 2014). Current studies on sexting are often cross-sectional, limiting the ability to determine the temporal order of sexting and sexual behaviors. Additionally, studies focus on samples of young adults (Benotsch et al., 2013). The current study extends the literature by examining sexting and sexual behaviors longitudinally among adolescents and examines race and gender differences that play a role in sexting. METHODS: The current study utilizes a prospective, 4-year longitudinal study of 1240 adolescents (aged 11-17) living in the Midwestern United States. Overall, the sample was 10% Black males, 11% Black females, 34% White Males, 31% White females, and 15% identified as Other. Analysis includes an autoregressive model with cross-lagged effects in MPlus. RESULTS: Sexting (T1) predicted oral and sexual encounters (T4) for Black males, White males, and White females but not for Black females. Oral sex and sexual encounters (T4) did not predict any sexting (T1) for all groups. Therefore, analysis establishes sexting as an antecedent to sexual behaviors for Black males, White males, and White females. Sexting and sexual behaviors did not have a significant association for Black females. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies sexting as a precursor to sexual behaviors among adolescents. Therefore, when tailoring programs for safe sex among these populations, focusing on sexting may reduce other sexual risky behaviors.

Developmental psychology · Race (biology) · Sexual behavior · White (mutation) · Young adult · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Psychology