Heterosexual, Cisgender and Gender and Sexually Diverse Adolescents’ Sexting Behaviors: The Role of Body Appreciation

Prospective relationships of body appreciation and functionality appreciation with body dissatisfaction and psychological quality of life among sexual minority men

Cross-sectional studies indicate that body appreciation and functionality appreciation are independently predictive of positive outcomes, including lower body dissatisfaction and improved psychological wellbeing. Sexual minority (e.g., gay, bisexual) men are underrepresented in positive body image research, warranting an examination of whether positive body image might also engender positive impacts on body image and psychological wellbeing for this population. We examined the longitudinal relationships of body appreciation and functionality appreciation with psychological quality of life (a multidimensional construct that encompasses psychological wellbeing, mental health, and self-worth), body fat dissatisfaction, and muscularity dissatisfaction among 821 sexual minority men. We used cross-lagged panel models to examine the bidirectional relationships of these constructs across three timepoints spanning 18 months. Greater muscularity dissatisfaction, body fat dissatisfaction, and psychological quality of life impairment were associated with lower body appreciation over time. Body appreciation was positively associated with psychological quality of life impairment over time, but did not predict any other outcome over time. Functionality appreciation was an outcome in one model: greater psychological quality of life impairment was associated with lower functionality appreciation over time. Functionality appreciation was not associated with muscularity or body fat dissatisfaction in either direction over time. These findings can guide intervention development. For example, future research might explore the efficacy of interventions for improving body appreciation on men's muscularity dissatisfaction, and vice-versa. Further, interventions for improving men's psychological wellbeing may be beneficial for both their body and functionality appreciation.

Is Sexting More of a Virtual or Gender Challenge? Factors Behind Non-Consensual Forwarding Among Adolescents

The increase in unauthorized dissemination of erotic-sexual content, and the resulting forwarding chains, has emerged as a concerning manifestation of cyberviolence among adolescents that needs to be addressed. This research explored the factors associated with the persistence of involvement in, and repeated victimization through, non-consensual forwarding. A total of 2604 adolescents (53.4% female) aged 11-19 years (M = 14.89; SD = 2.04) participated. Two subsamples were identified: those who had repeatedly engaged in non-consensual forwarding (n = 213) and those who had frequently been the victim of non-consensual forwarding (n = 297). Sexism, gender, and cyberbullying proved to be the main relevant factors in the persistence of this form of cyberviolence. Specifically, both benevolent and hostile sexism predicted persistent engagement in non-consensual forwarding, although hostile sexism predicted it in boys, not girls. Cyberbullying predicted the repeated victimization of non-consensual forwarding. The co-occurrence with cyberbullying reinforces the notion that non-consensual forwarding may serve as a mechanism for victim harm. Gender and cyberbullying victimization also predicted victimization by non-consensual forwarding, but the results had very small effect sizes. These findings underline the high relevance of sexism and gender in understanding what drives adolescents to persist in non-consensual forwarding. The results are discussed in light of potential normalization processes that may underlie the repetition of these behaviors. Key elements for developing prevention programs to eradicate this type of cyberviolence among youth are identified.

Sexting Behaviors and Fear of Missing out Among Young Adults

Fear of missing out (FoMO) creates a strong urge to stay continuously connected and informed about peers' activities, identified as a risk factor for problematic social media use and risky behaviors. Sexting is generally defined as the exchange of sexually suggestive or explicit photos, videos, or text messages through cell phones or other technologies. Despite its social relevance, the link between FoMO and sexting remains underexplored. This study examines their relationship in young adults-an understudied group compared to adolescents-while controlling for age, sex, and sexual orientation. The study surveyed 911 Italian young adults (18-30 years, Mage = 22.3, SDage = 2.57, 74% women, 70.4% heterosexual) through an online questionnaire. The results indicate that FoMO predicts only risky sexting behaviors (sexting under substance use and sexting for emotion regulation) while not influencing experimental sexting (sending one's own sexts). Additionally, the link between FoMO and sexting for emotion regulation is stronger among LGB individuals. Therefore, FoMO has proven to be strongly related to the two kinds of risky sexting but not to experimental sexting. Understanding this relationship can inform prevention and intervention programs on relationships, online communication, and sexting in young adults.

The Role of Body Image Factors in Swedish Adolescents' Sexting Behaviors

The current study tested a model in which three body image factors were assumed to be associated with adolescents' sexting (sending nude or semi-nude pictures and/or video clips) to either romantic partners or strangers. We hypothesized that lower appearance esteem, more body surveillance, and more dysfunctional appearance beliefs would be associated with a higher likelihood of sexting. We also examined the effects of pubertal timing in the model, along with assessing the moderating effect of gender on the pathways to sexting. A questionnaire study was conducted with 1543 adolescents (girls = 791, 50.7%; boys = 772, 49.3%), ages between 13 and 16 years. The results from structural equation modeling indicated that girls' and boys' dysfunctional appearance beliefs were most consistently associated with sexting with romantic partners and strangers. Body surveillance also predicted sexting with strangers, but only for boys. Contrary to our hypotheses, appearance esteem was not significantly associated with sexting. Early-maturing girls and boys were more likely to sext with either partner. Girls reporting earlier pubertal timing were more likely to sext with romantic partners via the mediation of appearance beliefs. The findings from this study provide novel evidence of the complex interplay between body image and adolescents' sexting, emphasizing that, in general, dysfunctional appearance beliefs seem to be more important for adolescents' sexting compared to body surveillance and appearance esteem.

Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between Pornography Use and Dating Violence Victimization: Are There Risks for Teenagers?

Dating violence victimization (DVV) is a prevalent public health problem with harmful consequences among adolescents. Pornography use has been identified among the factors associated with DVV. However, most studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, limiting the ability to determine temporal relationships between these variables. The present study assessed bidirectional longitudinal associations between pornography use and DVV (psychological, physical, and sexual), also examining cross-sectional associations and gender differences. Participants' self-report data from two assessments of a longitudinal study were used. The sample consisted of 1,556 teenagers (Mage = 14.55 years, SDage = .630; 51.5% were girls) having reported an intimate relationship in the past year at the first and/or second time point (T1/T2). Whereas some cross-sectional associations between pornography use and DVV were observed at T1, results from the autoregressive cross-lagged model revealed no significant longitudinal association between pornography use and the three forms of DVV, regardless of gender. Thus, pornography use may not represent a significant risk factor over time for DVV in adolescents. These findings provide additional insights concerning the associations between pornography use and DVV and suggest that emphasis should perhaps be placed on other variables in the study of risk factors for DVV. Still, although modest, transversal links support the importance of interventions that promote healthy intimate relationships in adolescence and education about pornography use.

The Associations of Pornography Use and Body Image Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Men

This study investigated the relationship between pornography use and men's body image, utilizing the social comparison theory as the theoretical framework. The research focused on a moderated mediation model, examining the role of social body comparison as a mediator between pornography use (frequency and problematic use) and men's body image. The sample consisted of 726 men aged 18-68, with 223 (30.7%) identifying as sexual minorities. Sexual minority men reported higher levels of pornography use frequency, problematic use, perceived realism, social body comparison, negative body image, and psychological distress compared to heterosexual men. Findings revealed that problematic pornography use (but not frequency of use) was related to higher levels of social body comparison, which, in turn, were related to higher levels of negative body image. The perceived realism in pornography did not moderate the examined associations. Clinicians should consider the impact of the relationship between pornography and body image among men.

Social cure model: testing the link between identity centrality and body appreciation in diverse sexual orientation and gender identity groups

BACKGROUND

The level of experienced sociocultural pressure to have an idealized body can vary depending on a person's gender identity and sexual orientation. The current study explored whether differences in levels of body appreciation among people with different sexual orientations and gender identities vary because of differing levels of experienced pressure by in-group members and varying levels of experienced hostile behaviors because of their looks or body. Thereby, the study tests the social cure model, according to which high levels of identity centrality are associated with better mental health.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with 1,587 people (51.3% cisgender women, 39.3% cisgender men, 9.5% non-binary; 52.9% identified as heterosexual, 27.7% identified as bisexual/pansexual, 11.2% identified as gay/lesbian, 8.2% identified as asexual/demi/queer; Mage = 32.9, SD = 12.6) from German-speaking countries. Variables were assessed with German-language versions of the Multidimensional and Multicomponent Measure of Social Identification, Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire, and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, revised. A manifest-path model was calculated.

RESULTS

Non-binary persons reported lower levels of body appreciation than did cisgender men and sexual minority persons reported lower levels of body appreciation than did heterosexual persons. Furthermore, sexual minority persons experienced more hostile behaviors directed towards them because of their looks or body than did heterosexual persons. Similarly, non-binary persons experienced more hostile behaviors than did men. Non-binary persons were subjected to lower levels of in-group pressure than were men. Gay/lesbian persons and asexual persons were subjected to lower levels of in-group pressure than were heterosexual persons. More hostile behaviors and stronger in-group pressure were related to lower body appreciation. In cisgender women and men indirect links revealed associations between strong identity centrality and low levels of body appreciation through the mediator of high in-group pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Data in sexual minority individuals or non-binary persons supported the social cure model, according to which persons can find support and validation for their looks and body from in-group members. In cisgender women and men, strong identification as a woman or man can be related to stronger in-group pressure and in turn to lower body appreciation.

Can I Love My Body Even if It Doesn't Look Like the Porn Stars'? Longitudinal Associations Between Pornography Use Frequency and Body Appreciation in a Diverse Sample of Adolescents

Online technologies could play an important role in the sexual development of adolescents as they watch more pornography than before. Pornography may relate to adolescents' perceptions of their bodies, especially among those identifying as a sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) as they have an increased risk of body image concerns compared to their heterosexual, cisgender (HC) peers. The present study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations over 3 years between adolescents' pornography use frequency and body appreciation, considering potential gender and sexual orientation-based differences. Results from linear univariate and parallel processes latent growth curve models with a multi-group approach among 2904 adolescents (MageT1 = 14.5 years, SD = 0.61; 51.4% girls, 16.3% sexual minority) demonstrated that HC and SGM girls' body appreciation slightly decreased over time. Moreover, HC boys, HC girls and SGM girls' pornography use frequency slightly increased over time. Cross-sectionally, greater pornography use frequency was associated with lower levels of body appreciation in HC girls and SGM boys, with a small effect size. However, longitudinally, pornography use frequency and body appreciation were not related to each other in either group. Our findings support that pornography use, in the short term, is negatively associated with adolescents' body appreciation, although these associations might not hold in the long term. Adolescents may be more critical of body ideals represented in pornography as they learn to think with more discernment about the pornographic depictions of bodies and sexuality.

An integrative model of weight stigma, body image, and physical activity in adolescents

Negative weight-related experiences and internalized weight stigma have been associated with poorer body image and reduced physical activity in adolescents. However, exploring body image and physical activity as discrete weight stigma outcomes fails to consider the theoretically- and empirically-supported covariation between the two. The present study tested a novel integrated model of the associations among negative weight-related experiences and internalized weight stigma (via weight-related distress), body image (shame, authentic pride, body appreciation), and physical activity. Canadian adolescents (N = 311, M_age ± SD = 16.00 ± 1.01, 75.5% girls) completed a cross-sectional self-report survey. A structural equation model with maximum likelihood robust estimation was tested. Higher negative weight-related experiences were indirectly associated with poorer body image (i.e., higher shame; lower authentic pride and appreciation) through higher weight-related distress. Authentic pride was associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Higher negative weight-related experiences were indirectly associated with lower physical activity through higher weight-related distress and lower body-related authentic pride. These findings elucidate targetable individual mechanisms and larger systems that could improve body image and foster physical activity among adolescents who encounter negative weight-related experiences and internalized weight stigma.

The Muscularity Bias Internalization Scale: Development and initial validation in Chinese adult men

The present study developed the Muscularity Bias Internalization Scale (MBIS), a measure of muscularity bias internalization, which assesses the extent to which an individual endorses muscularity-based stereotypes and engages in negative self-evaluations due to muscularity. In Study 1, a pool of candidate items was developed. By using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on a sample of 300 Chinese adult men (M_age = 29.98 years, SD = 7.81), 14 items from the item pool were retained. The 14-item MBIS contained three factors. In Study 2, a second sample of 300 Chinese adult men (M_age = 29.50 years, SD = 7.50) was used to confirm the factor structure of the MBIS, as well as to examine its reliability and validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) further confirmed the three-factor structure of the MBIS with a good model fit. The MBIS showed high internal consistency reliability and high two-week test-retest reliability. The MBIS also showed good construct validity with measures of drive for muscularity, muscularity-oriented disordered eating, and muscle dysmorphia symptoms. The newly developed MBIS may help understand the role of muscularity bias internalization in the development and maintenance of muscularity-oriented body image and muscularity-oriented disordered eating.

Present hedonism and future time perspectives predicting hypersexuality and problematic pornography use

The Time Perspective (TP) theory (i.e., the psychological experience regarding time) was often examined in association with different addictive behaviors, and the different TPs (i.e., Past Positive, Past Negative, Present Hedonistic, Present Fatalistic, and Future TPs) demonstrated different relationship patterns with them. However, most studies were conducted in relation to substance use-related disorders, leaving crucial knowledge gaps concerning the associations between TPs and potential behavioral addictions. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between the five TP dimensions, hypersexuality, and problematic pornography use (PPU), considering potential gender differences. Participants from two independent samples (N₁ = 554; N₂ = 453) completed a self-report survey on TPs and sexual behaviors. Structural equation modeling results indicated that the Present Hedonistic TP had a positive, moderate, and the Future TP had a negative, weak association with hypersexuality in both samples. Only the Present Hedonistic TP had a significant, positive, weak-to-moderate association with PPU across the samples. The explained variances of the models were higher in case of hypersexuality (28 and 27%, respectively), than in case of PPU (1 and 14%, respectively). No significant gender differences were observed. In line with previous findings concerning other predictors of hypersexuality and PPU, the results of the present study suggest that hypersexuality and PPU may differ from each other in terms of their TP background. Yet, present hedonism, which is related to impulsivity, may play an important role in both problematic sexual behaviors, suggesting that interventions focusing on this TP might be successful in reducing hypersexuality and PPU.