Sextual activity: Predictors of sexting behaviors and intentions to sext among selected undergraduate students
Introduction
Cell phone usage and text messaging among college students is at an all-time high. Recent studies have found that cell phones and text messaging is dominating college campuses where 97–99.7% of college students own a cell phone and 94% text message daily (Hargittai, 2007, Ransford, 2009, Salaway et al., 2007). Research shows that text messages have been used to initiate, advance, maintain, and influence interpersonal relationships, as well as end them (Drouin and Landgraff, 2012, Gershon, 2010, Kelly et al., 2012). Even though most college students agree that face-to-face communication is more helpful than a text message, this group of young adults’ behaviors still favors text messaging (Massimini & Peterson, 2009). To young adults, texting has many benefits. Text messaging allows young adults to build, maintain, and sustain relationships, organize events and social gatherings, and share new and exciting experiences with their friends and peers (Horstmanshof and Power, 2005, Kelly et al., 2012). College students especially like the enhanced sense of control that sending text messages enables (Kelly et al., 2012, Massimini and Peterson, 2009). They also identify other benefits, such as privacy (as opposed to a phone conversation where others can hear), sense of protection, entertainment, efficiency, cost, convenience, and the ability to store special sentimental messages (Horstmanshof and Power, 2005, Kelly et al., 2012, Mahatanankoon and O’Sullivan, 2008, Massimini and Peterson, 2009).
Section snippets
Theory of Reasoned Action
In 1975, Ajzen and Fishbein developed the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) that suggests that any volitional, or voluntary, behavior can be predicted by subjective norms combined with the person’s attitude about that behavior. Thus, behavioral intention to perform or not perform that behavior depends on subjective norms and attitudes toward the behavior. Behavioral intention measures a person’s strength of intention to perform the behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1975). Typically, people have
Sexting among young adults
Sexting has become increasingly popular among college students, as Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) remains a key mode for interpersonal communication (Auter, 2007, Drouin and Landgraff, 2012, Drouin et al., 2013, Robinson and Stubberud, 2012). In relation to sexting, research has shown that text messaging is the most preferred mode for sexting among young people (Beatbullying.org., 2009). The Internet e-mail, IM, and SNS (such as MySpace© and Facebook©) also are commonly used for sexting
Methods
This exploratory research study used a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design. A non-random, convenience sample at a mid-sized university in the Midwest was used for this study. The current study’s sample included undergraduate students, 18–26 years old, enrolled in one of the required Human Health core general education courses during the spring semester of 2011. In order for the survey instrument to be eligible for data analysis, participants had to complete a minimum of 95% of the
Results
During the spring semester, participants were recruited from 32 sections of the three introductory Human Health core courses at a mid-sized, Midwestern university over two months. The study yielded a 91.7% response rate by retaining a total of 697 usable survey instruments for analysis. Originally, 764 individuals were solicited; however, four students were ineligible (three master’s students and one minor) to take the survey instrument so they were not included in the sample population (N =
Comment
Self-esteem levels were not a factor affecting sexting behaviors for this study. There was no statistically significant relationship between self-esteem levels and sexting behaviors. Persons with high self-esteem were just as likely to be a lifetime or current sexter as persons with low self-esteem. A reason self-esteem might not be a factor affecting sexting behaviors could be that persons with high self-esteem and low self-esteem both sext, but for different reasons. Persons with high
Recommendations for future research
Recommendations for replication of this study should be considered. A study similar to the current study using randomized samples is recommended. The current study determined that self-esteem levels were not predictive of sexters; however, the study was unable to determine differences in reasons for sexting based on self-esteem levels since there were too few participants with low self-esteem (6.7%; n = 47).
A similar study using randomized samples would limit extreme inconsistencies in
Limitations
The study was limited to one university and was a sample of convenience. Even though the sample size exceeded the requirements for representativeness, generalizing this information to all college students or the general public is not advised given the fairly homogeneous sample. Sample disparities were noted, even though practical steps were taken to reduce small cell sizes. The sample primarily consisted of White heterosexual underclassmen with high self-esteem levels.
Several limitations were
Conclusions
Confirming the Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1975), sexting could be predicted in individuals who had more intention to sext and more positive attitudes and subjective norms toward sexting. For those who have never sexted or are not currently sexting (within the past 30 days), intentions to engage in sexting behavior can be predicted by favorable attitudes and subjective norms toward sexting. The more favorable that attitudes and subjective norms are toward sexting, the more
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Present address: Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University, 600 S. Emerald, Carbondale, IL 62901, United States. Tel.: +1 618 453 2777, +1 618 319 3416; fax: +1 618 453 1829.