Body-Focused Process and Sexting Among LGBTQ+ Adolescents and Emerging Adults

Bibliographic Data

ID3658429
AuthorsArta Dodaj (0000-0002-8064-6666, University of Zadar, corresponding author), Kristina Sesar (0000-0003-2406-7114, University of Mostar), Monika Bošnjak (Fra Dominik Mandic Gymnasium Bosnia and Herzegovina), Ninoslav Šilić (University of Mostar), Marija Marušić (University of Mostar), Andrea Leko (University of Mostar), Petra Topić (University of Mostar), Antonio Vukoja (University of Mostar), Marija Šaravanja (University of Mostar), Aleksandra Benković (University of Mostar)
Year2025
Pages1-22
Publication date2025-08-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2025.2541011
PMID40748679
OpenAlexW4412828992
LanguageEN
References cited69

There is little research on sexting in the LGBTQ+ population, especially among LGBTQ+ adolescents and emerging adults who face particular challenges such as body image concerns. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the role of body image factors (body surveillance, body shame, control beliefs) in predicting sexting motivations and behavior in LGBTQ+ youth, adolescents and emerging adults. A total of 847 LGBTQ+ individuals (366 adolescents and 481 emerging adults) from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia participated in the online study. The results suggest that, on average, LGBTQ+ adolescents are more motivated to sext than LGBTQ+ emerging adults, but do not differ in the frequency of sexting behavior. The body shame was significantly positively correlated with sexting motivation, while other body-related variables were not correlated with sexting (motivation and behavior). Additionally, among adolescents, control beliefs were negatively correlated with sexting motivation. The strength of these correlations differs between adolescents and emerging adults and is stronger in adolescents. The results of this study provide novel evidence of the complex interplay between body image and sexting motivation and behavior in adolescents and emerging adults, highlighting that body variables are generally more important for adolescents than for emerging LBTQ

Developmental psychology · Homosexuality · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Lesbian · Male Homosexuality · Men who have sex with men · Psychoanalysis · Queer · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Transgender · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Media Influence and Health · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Virology

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