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Martínez-Bacaicoa J, Sorrel MA, Gámez-Guadix M. Development and Validation of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Perpetration and Victimization Scales Among Adults. Assessment 2024:10731911241229575. [PMID: 38380512 DOI: 10.1177/10731911241229575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) includes different forms of digital violence, such as online gender-based violence, online gender- and sexuality-based violence, digital sexual harassment, online sexual coercion, and nonconsensual pornography. The aim of this study was to design and validate a measure to assess the perpetration and victimization of each dimension of TFSV. The relationships between the different dimensions and differences by gender and sexual orientation were also analyzed. The participants were a sample of 2,486 adults (69% women) from Spain, aged between 16 and 79 (M = 25.95; DT = 9.809) years. The Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Scales were found to be valid and reliable instruments, supporting our recommendation for the use of these scales. Network analysis and solution-based exploratory factor analyses showed that the dimensions of online sexual coercion and nonconsensual pornography clustered together. All the perpetration variables were related to sexism. Finally, cis women and nonheterosexual people reported higher victimization scores overall compared to cis men and heterosexuals, respectively, while cis men reported higher perpetration scores overall than cis women.
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Brighi A, Amadori A, Summerer K, Menin D. Prevalence and risk factors for nonconsensual distribution of intimate images among Italian young adults: Implications for prevention and intervention. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100414. [PMID: 37772270 PMCID: PMC10523183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NCII), also known as revenge porn, has become a significant social issue in recent years, with severe consequences for victims. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of NCII victimization among young Italian adults, focusing on the role of sexting, intimate partner violence (IPV), impulsivity, and self-disclosure. An online survey was conducted among a sample of 2047 Italian young adults (F = 29.3 %, M = 53.4 %, Not Indicated=16.9 %; mean age = 24.4, SD = 4.4) using a convenience sample recruited through internet. The survey included questions on NCII victimization, sexting behavior, sextortion, and IPV. Our findings showed that 33.9 % of respondents reported engaging in sexting behavior, with females being three times more likely to engage in sexting than males. Furthermore, 3.3 % of participants reported being victims of NCII, with over one-third of victims experiencing three or more types of NCII victimization. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sexting and IPV were significant predictors of NCII victimization, and the interaction effect between self-disclosure and impulsivity was also a significant predictor. This study contributes to the understanding of NCII in Italy and highlights the need for interventions and prevention strategies to address both NCII and IPV, given their strong continuity. The results also suggest that the relationship between self-disclosure, impulsivity, IPV, and NCII victimization is complex and requires further investigation, suggesting a scenario where the climate of violence may impair the victim's decision-making.
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Rogers MM, Fisher C, Ali P, Allmark P, Fontes L. Technology-Facilitated Abuse in Intimate Relationships: A Scoping Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:2210-2226. [PMID: 35537445 PMCID: PMC10486147 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221090218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) is a significant, harmful phenomenon and emerging trend in intimate partner violence. TFA encompasses a range of behaviours and is facilitated in online spaces (on social media and networking platforms) and through the misuse of everyday technology (e.g. mobile phone misuse, surveillance apps, spyware, surveillance via video cameras and so on). The body of work on TFA in intimate relationships is emerging, and so this scoping review set out to establish what types of abuse, impacts and forms of resistance are reported in current studies. The scoping review examined studies between 2000 and 2020 that focused on TFA within intimate partnerships (adults aged 18+) within the setting of any of these countries: the UK and Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus were searched in December 2020. A total of 22 studies were included in the review. The main findings were that TFA is diverse in its presentation and tactics, but can be typed according to the eight domains of the Duluth Power & Control Wheel. Impacts are not routinely reported across studies but broadly fall into the categories of social, mental health and financial impacts and omnipresence. Similarly, modes of resistance are infrequently reported in studies. In the few studies that described victim/survivor resistance, this was in the context of direct action, access to legal or professional support or in the identification of barriers to resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colleen Fisher
- University of Western Australia, Crawley, AU-WA, Australia
| | - Parveen Ali
- The University of Sheffield and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Lisa Fontes
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
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Clancy EM, Hallford D, March E, Howard D, Toumbourou JW, Klettke B. The Role of Consent and Motivations in Sext Dissemination. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:9315-9342. [PMID: 37067003 PMCID: PMC10668537 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231163886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Sext dissemination (i.e., the online sharing of sexually explicit images) has the potential to result in legal, social, and psychological harms. Recent research has shown that this behavior can be consensual or non-consensual in nature; yet little is known about how motivations or attitudes may differ between these forms, or with gender. This study is based on a cross-sectional online survey investigating consensual and non-consensual sext dissemination and associated demographic, behavioral, attitudinal, and psychological factors. Participants were 2,126 cisgendered adults aged 18 to 30 years (M = 22.97, SD = 3.21, 55% women, 45% men), resident in Western, English-speaking nations, particularly Australia. Around 10% of respondents reported disseminating texts, and of these, only 19.8% indicated they had permission for this, with no differences across gender. When sexts were disseminated "to gossip," this was significantly more likely to be non-consensual. There were no significant differences between consensual and non-consensual dissemination in subjective attitudes or norms toward dissemination, nor levels of psychological distress. Women were more likely to non-consensually disseminate sexts that had been received as unwanted or unwelcome. Consensual dissemination was weakly associated with being sexually active and having given consent to having one's own images disseminated. We discuss implications for future research regarding consent, and relationship and sexuality education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evita March
- Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, Australia
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Paradiso MN, Rollè L, Trombetta T. Image-Based Sexual Abuse Associated Factors: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF FAMILY VIOLENCE 2023:1-24. [PMID: 37358981 PMCID: PMC10126554 DOI: 10.1007/s10896-023-00557-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA) is a recently studied form of violence and abuse perpetrated using technology. This systematic review aims to examine and systematize studies exploring factors associated with IBSA (e.g., victimization, perpetration, and propensity to perpetrate). Method Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, 17 articles were included. Results The results of this study highlighted conceptual and methodological limitations in the literature on IBSA. Aside from these limitations, this systematic review identified factors associated with IBSA, focusing on four macro-areas: victimization, perpetration, propensity to perpetrate IBSA, and IBSA implications. The results demonstrated the role of psychological, relational, and social variables, although the effect sizes observed in the quantitative studies were small or in few cases moderate. Conclusions These results suggest further research should be carried out to explore the multidimensionality of IBSA and its associated factors, which may assist in guiding interventions to promote preventive and rehabilitative methods to lower the prevalence of this crime and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Rollè
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Tommaso Trombetta
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy
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Understanding the Vicious Cycle: Relationships between Nonconsensual Sexting Behaviours and Cyberbullying Perpetration. SEXES 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/sexes4010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increased ubiquity of digital technology, sexting behaviours, defined as the online sending, receiving, or disseminating of sexually explicit messages, images, or videos, have become increasingly frequent, particularly among young adults. While prior research found sexting behaviours to be associated with cyberbullying behaviours, the role of consent as part of this association has been largely unexplored. The current study investigates whether the relationship between sexting behaviours and cyberbullying perpetration might be explained by a subset of nonconsensual sexting behaviours, such as engagement in nonconsensual sext dissemination and sext-hassling. A large convenience sample of young Western cisgendered adults (n = 1688, M age = 23.15, SD = 3.23, 52.7% women) completed an anonymous online survey exploring harmful online behaviours (nonconsensual sext dissemination, sext-hassling, cyberbullying victimisation/perpetration). A hierarchical logistic regression was used to analyse predictive relationships between variables. The results showed no significant association between consensual sext-sending and cyberbullying perpetration in young adults. However, nonconsensual sexting behaviours, particularly sext-hassling and nonconsensual sext dissemination, were predictive of cyberbullying perpetration. Finally, cyberbullying victimization appeared to be the most strongly associated factor with cyberbullying perpetration. These findings suggest that future research and prevention efforts surrounding sexting and cyberbullying perpetration would benefit from a focus on consent and the bidirectional nature of cyberbullying behaviours.
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Powell A, Scott AJ, Flynn A, McCook S. Perpetration of Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Extent, Nature and Correlates in a Multi-Country Sample. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP22864-NP22889. [PMID: 35184577 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211072266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is a form of technology-facilitated abuse in which intimate (nude or sexual) images of a person are taken, distributed, or threats are made to distribute the images, without a person's consent. It is an increasingly criminalized form of sexual abuse, and yet little is known about the perpetrators of these harms, including the extent, relational nature and correlates of perpetration. This article reports on the first multi-country survey study to comprehensively investigate IBSA perpetration. An online panel survey of the general community (aged 16-64 years) in the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and New Zealand (NZ) (n = 6109) found that self-reported IBSA perpetration was relatively common, with one in six (17.5%, n = 1070) respondents engaging in at least one form of IBSA. Logistic regression analyses identified nine characteristics that significantly increased the odds of having engaged in IBSA perpetration during their lifetime, namely: residing in the NZ as opposed to the UK or Australia, being male, having disability/assistance needs, holding attitudes that minimize the harms and excuse the perpetrators of IBSA, engaging in online dating behaviors, engaging in sexual self-image behaviors, and experiencing IBSA victimization (images taken, images distributed, and images threatened). Policy and prevention implications of the findings, as well as directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Asher Flynn
- 5376RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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8
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Campbell JK, Poage SM, Godley S, Rothman EF. Social Anxiety as a Consequence of Non-consensually Disseminated Sexually Explicit Media Victimization. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP7268-NP7288. [PMID: 33107385 DOI: 10.1177/0886260520967150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore consequences of the non-consensual dissemination of sexually explicit media (NCDSEM) for survivors, with an emphasis on how NCDSEM may impact social relationships and social anxiety. One-on-one telephone interviews with (N = 17) self-identified survivors of NCDSEM were conducted between May and December 2019. Interviews were analyzed using a flexible coding methodology. There were five main ways in which participants described consequences of NCDSEM: (a) fear of going out in public, (b) fear of engaging in relationships, (c) fear of applying to jobs, (d) fear of seeking help, and (e) influencing depression and feelings of anxiety. These findings suggest that, for some people, NCDSEM victimization may influence whether and how they subsequently socialize with other people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sophie Godley
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Patel U, Roesch R. The Prevalence of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2022; 23:428-443. [PMID: 32930064 DOI: 10.1177/1524838020958057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the prevalence of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) within the adolescent and adult population regarding victimization and perpetration. In addition to the primary aim, associated health outcomes with TFSV were discussed through a qualitative lens. Specific forms of TFSV that were examined include distribution of, production of, and threats to distribute sexual material involving another individual without that person's consent via images or videos; 425 articles from MEDLINE, PsycArticles, PsycINFO, Criminal Justice Abstracts, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Google Scholar were screened. Nineteen articles (comprising 20 independent samples) reporting prevalence rates of TFSV on 32,247 participants were included in this random-effects meta-analysis. Pooled prevalence of victimization results revealed that 8.8% of people have had their image or video-based sexts shared without consent, 7.2% have been threatened with sext distribution, and 17.6% have had their image taken without permission. Regarding perpetration, 12% have shared sexts beyond the intended recipient, 2.7% have threatened to share sexts, and 8.9% have nonconsensually taken an image. Moderator variables included publication year, mean participant age, proportion of female participants, and study setting, with meta-regression analyses revealing no significant predictors. Finally, a qualitative analysis of nine articles (n = 3,990) was conducted to assess mental health associations with TFSV victimization, revealing significant mental health impacts, including anxiety, depression, and poor coping, for victims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unnati Patel
- Mental Health Law and Policy Institute, 1763Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Ronald Roesch
- Mental Health Law and Policy Institute, 1763Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
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10
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Gassó AM, Forero CG, Piqueras J, Gómez-Durán EL. Psychopathological aspects of sexting and IBSA perpetrators: A brief research report. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:983881. [PMID: 36245858 PMCID: PMC9556696 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.983881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION IBSA has been defined as taking, distributing, and/or making threats to distribute, a sexual image without a person's consent, and up to date there is still limited research on IBSA perpetration and characteristics of IBSA perpetrators. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify characteristics of IBSA perpetrators, in order to guide future intervention and prevention programs. METHODS An online survey was conducted regarding IBSA related behaviors and psychopathology. The original sample comprised 1,370 Spanish college students (74% females). RESULTS The IBSA perpetrator subsample comprised 284 participants (49.5% females). Our findings indicate that perpetrators are more commonly males, with higher psychopathology scores, especially in hostility scales, with previous IBSA victimization experiences, and who usually target friends, to have fun or as a joke, or partners, to flirt. Furthermore, when examining intragroup differences regarding perpetration level of severity, results showed that those who reported engaging in the most severe forms of IBSA reported higher rates of psychopathology and hostility. Yet, to intervene in those who present more severe behaviors, we must also pay attention to depression, somatization and sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS IBSA perpetrators share key factors that could be targeted in forensic and clinical interventions, and that should be taken into account when designing effective offender intervention programs. Intervention programs should focus on anger-management issues that help reduce perpetrators' hostility and anxiety symptoms, and should also be aimed at modifying attitudes that justify perpetration behaviors and contribute to harmful interactions with their friends or to intimate partner violent dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina M Gassó
- School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos G Forero
- School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Piqueras
- School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esperanza L Gómez-Durán
- School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.,Galatea Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Clancy EM, Maas MK, March E, Howard D, Klettke B. Just Checking It Out? Motivations for and Behavioral Associations With Visiting "Slutpages" in the United States and Australia. Front Psychol 2021; 12:671986. [PMID: 34248768 PMCID: PMC8267471 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
"Slutpages" are a pernicious form of online image-based evaluative voyeurism (OIBEV), whereby (sexualized) images of women are posted on webpages for (predominantly) male groups to rate and comment. Despite media and public concern, OIBEV sites have garnered limited empirical study. This paper presents the first analysis of OIBEV site visitation motivations across United States and Australian samples. Participants comprised a convenience sample of 1148 young adults aged 18 to 29 years (M = 22.54, SD = 2.50); 53.0% women, 47.0% men; 54% residing in the U.S. and 46% in Australia. Respondents completed an online questionnaire. Overall, 23% of United States and 16% of Australian respondents had visited OIBEV sites. OIBEV site visitation was uniquely associated with gender and country (with men and United States being more likely to visit OIBEV sites), requesting and disseminating sexts and having one's own image shared. Cyberbullying perpetration was associated with reduced odds of OIBEV site visitation. Motivations differed by gender, with men (80%) being most likely to visit sites to "check them out" while women were equally likely to check it out (41%) or to see if they were depicted (36%). For men, unique predictors of OIBEV site visitation were having requested, disseminated and received disseminated sexts, lower levels of anxiety and reduced likelihood of cyberbullying perpetration. For women, OIBEV site visitation was uniquely associated with being a United States resident, sext dissemination victimization, receipt of disseminated sexts, higher levels of anxiety but reduced stress. Our findings confirm that OIBEV sites represent a highly gendered form of online image-based sexual abuse, and may have important mental health implications, given the associations with increased anxiety. Our results support the need for "slutpage" education for adolescents and young adults to address social and peer norms that encourage and support non-consensual use of intimate images.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan K. Maas
- Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Evita March
- School of Science, Psychology, and Sport, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, Australia
| | - Dominika Howard
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood East, VIC, Australia
| | - Bianca Klettke
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood East, VIC, Australia
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Gassó AM, Mueller-Johnson K, Gómez-Durán EL. Victimization as a Result of Non-Consensual Dissemination of Sexting and Psychopathology Correlates: An Exploratory Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126564. [PMID: 34207211 PMCID: PMC8296318 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sexting is generally known as creating, sending and/or forwarding of sexual content using electronic devices. When such content is non-consensually disseminated, it becomes a criminally relevant behavior. To date, very few empirical studies have examined the prevalence of non-consensual dissemination of sexting, and none of them have analyzed the relationship with psychopathology and further victimization outcomes. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to examine the prevalence of non-consensual dissemination of sexual content, (2) to analyze the prevalence of further victimization as a result of non-consensual dissemination of sexting and (3) to investigate the association between secondary victimization as a result of non-consensual dissemination of sexting and psychopathology. The sample comprised 1370 Spanish college students (73.6% female; mean age = 21.4 years; SD = 4.85) who answered an online survey about their engagement in sexting behaviors, online sexual victimization and psychopathology, measured by a sexting scale and the Listado de Síntomas Breve (LSB-50), respectively. Overall, 43 participants (3.14) were victims of non-consensual dissemination of sexting, and results showed those participants who had suffered further victimization reported higher psychopathology scores than those who were not victimized and that being victimized by an ex-partner was associated with poorer mental health outcomes in the victim. Further implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina M. Gassó
- Faculty of Law, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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13
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Boer S, Erdem Ö, de Graaf H, Götz H. Prevalence and Correlates of Sext-Sharing Among a Representative Sample of Youth in the Netherlands. Front Psychol 2021; 12:655796. [PMID: 34040564 PMCID: PMC8143518 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.655796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many adolescents use their electronic devices to send each other sexually explicit texts, photos, and videos of themselves-commonly known as sexting. This can be fun and is not usually problematic. However, if the intended recipient decides to share these sexts with a broader audience, the consequences for the depicted can be detrimental. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of (non-consensual) sext-sharing among Dutch adolescents and explore the characteristics of those who do, to gain a better understanding of factors involved in dissemination. We used data from "Sex under the age of 25," a representative national survey on sexual health among a sample of 20,834 Dutch 12-24-year-olds. The prevalence of sext-sharing was estimated using Complex Samples. Logistic regressions were used to assess associations between demographics, school-based sexting education, sexual- and online behavior, and mental health and sext-sharing. About 4% of the adolescents reported having shared someone else's sext in the last six months. Being male, aged 12-14 years, frequent social media usage, watching online porn, sexual experience, and being subjected to sext-sharing themselves associated most strongly with sext-sharing. Our findings show that the likelihood of sext-sharing is lower in older adolescents and that it associates with the extent of adolescents' sexual curiosity and online activity. The overlap between sharing sexts of others and having one's own sext shared suggests that dissemination of personal sexual content might be normalized or used as an act of retribution. Further research could be helpful to explain the mechanisms underlying this overlap. The results of this study illustrate the importance of exposing adolescents to evidence based preventive educational interventions on sexting from 12 years onwards and not just within the context of traditional school-based sex education, but also as a part of the (online) media-literacy curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Boer
- Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Özcan Erdem
- Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Hannelore Götz
- Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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14
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Clancy EM, Klettke B, Crossman AM, Hallford DJ, Howard D, Toumbourou JW. Sext Dissemination: Differences across Nations in Motivations and Associations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2429. [PMID: 33801431 PMCID: PMC7967565 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sext dissemination presents policy and legislative challenges given its potential psychological, social, and legal harms. We report on a cross-national comparison of sext-image dissemination in a large sample of 1148 young adults aged 18-29 years (M = 22.54, SD = 2.50, 53.0% women, 47.0% men), either U.S. (53.8%) or Australian (46.2%) residents. The results indicate that 14% of young adults disseminated sexts, with no difference by gender or country. Over 50% of respondents indicated that the last time they received a disseminated sext, it was unexpected or unwelcome, with women twice as likely as men to receive unwelcome sexts. The most frequent motivations for sext dissemination were similar cross-nationally, relating to the attractiveness of the person depicted, as a joke, to gossip, because it was not a big deal, bragging, roasting or teasing, and to increase social status. Motivations of attractiveness, bragging, or social status were more commonly endorsed by men, while women endorsed reasons around gossip or roasting/teasing. Unique predictors of sext dissemination included U.S. residence, requesting sexts, receiving disseminated sexts, having one's own images disseminated, and more positive subjective norms to dissemination, and there was a country-gender interaction, where Australian women and U.S. men were more likely to disseminate sexts than then U.S. women or Australian men. The findings have implications for prevention programs seeking to address harmful online sexual interactions, including addressing respect, consent, and subjective norms supporting non-consensual dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Clancy
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East 3125, Australia; (B.K.); (D.J.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Bianca Klettke
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East 3125, Australia; (B.K.); (D.J.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Angela M. Crossman
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College, City University of New York, 524 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019, USA;
| | - David J. Hallford
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East 3125, Australia; (B.K.); (D.J.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Dominika Howard
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East 3125, Australia; (B.K.); (D.J.H.); (D.H.)
| | - John W. Toumbourou
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong 3220, Australia;
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