Sexting among Spanish adolescents: Prevalence and personality profi les
Keywords
sexting
sexual content
adolescence
personality
Publication details
| Year: | 2017 |
| DOI: | 10.7334/psicothema2016.222 |
| Issued: | 2017 |
| Language: | English |
| Volume: | 29 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Start Page: | 29 |
| End Page: | 34 |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Gámez-Guadix M.; de Santisteban P.; Resett S. |
| Type: | Journal article |
| Journal: | Psicothema |
| Topics: | Risks and harms; Online safety and policy regulation |
| Sample: | The sample consisted of 3,223 Spanish adolescents from 12 to 17 years of age (49.9% female; mean age = 14.06, SD = 1.37). Based in proportion to the distribution by the center type (public or private) of the Community of Madrid, we randomly selected 21 schools. Of them, 11 schools participated in the study; seven were public schools and four were private schools. The sample consisted of students from the 1st to 4th levels of secondary education in Spain (equivalent to the 7th-10th grades in the US system) of each school evaluated. |
| Implications For Educators About: | Other |
Abstract
Voluntarily sending sexual content (e.g., photos, videos)
among adolescents via the Internet and mobile phones, a phenomenon
called sexting, is receiving increasing social and research attention.
The aims of this study were: 1) to analyze the prevalence and trends
of sexting among adolescents by gender and age and 2) to examine the
personality profi le of adolescents that participated in sexting. Method:
The sample consisted of 3,223 Spanish adolescents from 12 to 17 years
of age (49.9% female; mean age = 14.06, SD = 1.37) who anonymously
and voluntarily completed self-report questionnaires on sexting and the
big fi ve personality factors. Results: The overall prevalence of sexting
was 13.5%. The prevalence was 3.4% at 12 years old and increased to
36.1% at 17 years of age, showing a growing and signifi cant linear trend.
Overall, no differences were found between males and females. The
personality profi le of those involved in sexting was characterized by higher
Extraversion and Neuroticism and by lower scores in Conscientiousness
and Agreeableness. Conclusions: Given its high prevalence, beyond
adopting a perspective based on the dangers of sexting, an educational
approach that emphasizes responsible and informed use of information
and communication technologies is necessary.
Outcome
The overall prevalence of sexting was 13.5%. The prevalence was 3.4% at 12 years old and increased to 36.1% at 17 years of age, showing a growing and signifi cant linear trend.
Overall, no differences were found between males and females. The
personality profi le of those involved in sexting was characterized by higher
Extraversion and Neuroticism and by lower scores in Conscientiousness
and Agreeableness. Conclusions: Given its high prevalence, beyond
adopting a perspective based on the dangers of sexting, an educational
approach that emphasizes responsible and informed use of information
and communication technologies is necessary.