In the first study of its kind, scientists from the University of Granada have analysed sexting, among a sample of 900 university students, and its associated risks
A group of scientists from the University of Granada (UGR), belonging to the research group HUM-846 ‘APSEDI: Psychological and Educational Attention to Diversity’ has been conducting research over the last few years into the practice of sexting, which refers to the dissemination or publication of sexually provocative or explicit content created by the sender, using a mobile phone or similar device. This neologism is a combination of ‘sex’ and ‘texting’.
As part of their on-going work, the UGR researchers conducted a study, recently published in the journal Summa Psicológica, which found that one in three university students admits to sexting despite the personal and professional risks involved in this activity.
The authors of this research, Doctors Helena Chacón-López, María Jesús Caurcel-Cara, and Juan Francisco Romero-Barriga note that, despite the fact that sexting is a globalised social phenomenon, there are hardly any studies dealing with this topic among university students in Spain—a gap which the study aimed to address.
The objectives were: to determine the prevalence of this practice among a sample of 899 randomly-selected students of the University of Granada (397 men, or 44.16%, and 502 women, 55.86%), aged between 18 and 24; to analyse any links with age, gender, or self-esteem; and to determine the prevalence of sexting by age. Among other instruments, the research team used a translated version of the Sexting Behaviors Scale, adapted to the Spanish language and then validated.
The results of the study found that both men and women admit to sexting, although it is more prevalent among men (41.57% vs. 34.47% of women), in that it is men who more often send and receive messages of this type.
Most respondents practice sexting with just one or two people (42.82% men and 47.41% women), but there is a percentage (4.53% men and 3.39% women) that has done so with more than ten people. However, when sexting takes place within the context of a steady relationship, the percentage of women (20.51%) is higher than that of men (16.88%). In relation to age, the study shows that there is an increase in sexting between 18 and 21 years, decreasing slightly at 24. No link to self-esteem was identified.
Why do young people practice sexting?
There appear to be some significant differences related to the situations that give rise to sexting. Among respondents who practice this activity, many—mainly men—revealed that they usually do so when they are alone or at home.
A preference for sexting was also found to be associated with the search for sexual relations. This was reaffirmed by the opinions expressed by five out of ten men and four out of ten women, who reported that sexting made it more likely they would have sex with someone or date them. Another situation that triggers sexting, although to a lesser extent, is being in a good mood, this being more marked among men.
Although a consensual behaviour, it is also risky, with unpredictable consequences for an individual’s personal and professional life, now and in the future, as such material can be widely disseminated and may remain available on the network permanently. The researchers therefore recommend being responsible and prudent in sexting practices.
The main contribution of the study is that it highlights the practice of sexting among young university students, unlike the majority of studies to date, which have focused on this phenomenon in adolescents.
Among the limitations of the study, the authors note that the results have a low representativeness in relation to the Spanish university population, since the sample was derived only from the University of Granada.
Therefore, it is important to build on this research by incorporating other universities. Likewise, it is recommended that Education and Psychology professionals help raise awareness of its repercussions, especially among young people of pre-university age.
Image captions:
The research team, from left to right: Juan Francisco Romero Barriga (Department of Didactics and School Organisation, Faculty of Education, UGR), Helena Chacón-López (Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, UGR), and María Jesús Caurcel Cara (Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, UGR).
Logo of the research group “APSEDI: Psychological and Educational Attention to Diversity”
Sexting means to share or publish content of a provocative or sexual nature that has been created by the sender using a mobile phone or any other similar device.
Bibliography:
Chacón-López, H., Caurcel, M.J., and Romero-Barriga, J.F. (2019), ‘Sexting in university students: Relationship with age, sex and self-esteem’, Suma Psicológica, 26(1), 1–8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14349/sumapsi.2019.v26.n1.1.
Media enquiries:
Helena Chacón-López, Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology,
Faculty of Education, University of Granada.
Tel.: +34 958 243975
Email: helenachacon@ugr.es
