Author:

Keywords:

Sexting, Adolescents, social learning theory, sexual risk behavior, sexual education, Science & Technology, Technology, Information Science & Library Science, Social learning theory, Sexual risk behavior, Sexual education, SEXUAL RISK, PEER NORMS, BEHAVIOR, ASSOCIATION, PHONE, COMMUNICATION, PREVALENCE, CIGARETTE, EDUCATION, GIRLS, 0806 Information Systems, 0899 Other Information and Computing Sciences, Information Systems, 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware, 4701 Communication and media studies

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to analyze which components of the social learning theory are associated with adolescents’ engagement in sexting among a sample of 357 respondents. Additionally, we distinguish between two types of online sexual self-disclosure: sexting within and outside of a romantic relationship. The results indicate that the extent to which adolescents hold positive attitudes towards the behavior and the extent to which they perceive that their peers approve of sexting, are associated with their engagement in sexting both within and outside of a romantic relationship, when controlling for age, gender, school track and internet use. Sexting outside of a romantic relationship was also influenced by the thrill that young people get out of engaging in this behavior. The discussion addresses the implications of these findings for prevention programs, practice and future research, such as the necessity for future studies to ask with whom participants have engaged in sexting.