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Morelli M, Nappa MR, Chirumbolo A, Wright PJ, Pabian S, Baiocco R, Costabile A, Longobardi E, Cattelino E. Is Adolescents' Cyber Dating Violence Perpetration Related to Problematic Pornography Use? The Moderating Role of Hostile Sexism. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38225910 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2304495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence is an important public health problem. Cyber dating violence (CDV) is a form of intimate partner violence perpetrated within a dating relationship via new communication technologies. This study investigated the moderating roles of hostile and benevolent sexism in the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration. The Cyber Pornography Use Inventory, the Cyber Dating Violence Inventory, and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory were completed by 421 Italian adolescents (M = 16.53; females = 63.7%). Results indicated that problematic pornography use was positively related to CDV perpetration. In addition, the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration was found to be moderated by hostile sexism. In participants with low levels of hostile sexism, the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration was not significant. Conversely, in those with high levels of hostile sexism, this relationship was stronger and significant. Benevolent sexism was not found to be a moderator in the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration. Thus, hostile sexism could be a risk factor for the relationship between adolescents' problematic pornography use and their engagement in CDV. Conversely, low levels of hostile sexism could be a protective factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Morelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome
| | | | | | | | - Sara Pabian
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental & Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Angela Costabile
- Department of Culture, Education and Society (DiCES), University of Calabria
| | - Emiddia Longobardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Elena Cattelino
- Department of Human and Social Science, University of Valle d'Aosta
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Morelli M, Plata MG, Isolani S, Zabala MEZ, Hoyos KPC, Tirado LMU, Gracia MSR, Barbosa CP, Pistella J, Zuffianò A, Gerbino M, Laghi F, Pastorelli C, Baiocco R. Sexting Behaviors Before and During COVID-19 in Italian and Colombian Young Adults. SEXUALITY RESEARCH & SOCIAL POLICY : JOURNAL OF NSRC : SR & SP 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37363349 PMCID: PMC9986041 DOI: 10.1007/s13178-023-00798-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Recent research highlight increasing at-risk online sexual activities and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among young adults. Specifically, sexting refers to exchanging sexually suggestive messages, photos, and videos through technological devices, and it can be placed on a continuum from safer to riskier behavior. This study aims to improve our knowledge about sexting behaviors in Italian and Colombian young adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A survey online was filled in by all recruited participants through a snowball sampling procedure (from December 2019 to June 2021) both in Italy and Colombia, resulting in a total of 2931 participants (2051 from Italy and 880 from Colombia) aged 18 to 35 years old (Mage = 23.85; SDage = 3.63; 67.6% girls). Results Italian youth were more engaged in risky sexting than Colombian participants, while Colombians indicated being more engaged in non-consensual sexting than Italians. Sexual minority people reported more sharing their own sexts, higher levels of sexting under pressure, and 3.2 times more risky sexting than exclusively heterosexual counterparts. During the pandemic period, participants sent their own sexts 1.5 times more and were less involved in non-consensual sexting than in the pre-pandemic era. Conclusions The present research could help understand better the cultural dynamics underlying the differences in sexting behaviors, suggesting the relevance of investigating how sexting behaviors and online at-risk activities have changed since the pandemic started. Policy Implications Results provide implications for educational and prevention programs to improve young people's awareness of sexting behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Morelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Isolani
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jessica Pistella
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Zuffianò
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Gerbino
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorenzo Laghi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Pistoni C, Martinez Damia S, Alfieri S, Marta E, Confalonieri E, Pozzi M. What are the predictors of sexting behavior among adolescents? The positive youth development approach. J Adolesc 2023. [PMID: 36717108 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research supporting adolescent sexual health and empowerment is needed. The study investigates sexting among adolescents using the resources that characterized the Positive Youth Development Approach (PYD) and considering the impact of parental monitoring. The study aims to describe sexting among three different groups of adolescents (i.e., Non Sexters [NS], Passive Sexters [PS], and Active Sexters [AS]) considering age and sex (first aim). It also seeks to identify predictors among the PYD's resources and parental monitoring that explain the probability of falling into the sexter or the non sexter groups (second aim) as well as the probability of falling into the active or the passive sexter groups (third aim). METHOD The national representative sample was composed of 1866 Italian adolescents: 980 girls and 886 boys aged between 13 and 19 years old (M = 16.26; SD = 1.49). Participants completed a questionnaire that measured sexting behavior, PYD resources, and parental monitoring scales. Chi-squared and multivariate logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS Almost half of the participants (46.0%) were NS, 36.2% were PS, and 17.8% were AS. Results show that sex, age, Connection, and Child Disclosure are significant predictors of sexting behavior. CONCLUSIONS Results highlighted that sexting can be seen as a relational activity that adolescents use to establish connections as part as their sexual exploration. A parenting approach that promotes disclosure may help adolescents explore safely their sexuality and be accountable. Results also indicate that parents need to build educational alliances with schools to promote sexual health and empowerment among teenagers while preventing risk of harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Pistoni
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy.,CERISVICO - Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Martinez Damia
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy.,CERISVICO - Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Alfieri
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Marta
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy.,CERISVICO - Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Maura Pozzi
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy
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Bianchi D, Baiocco R, Lonigro A, Pompili S, Zammuto M, Di Tata D, Morelli M, Chirumbolo A, Di Norcia A, Cannoni E, Longobardi E, Laghi F. Love in Quarantine: Sexting, Stress, and Coping During the COVID-19 Lockdown. SEXUALITY RESEARCH & SOCIAL POLICY : JOURNAL OF NSRC : SR & SP 2021; 20:465-478. [PMID: 34580599 PMCID: PMC8458047 DOI: 10.1007/s13178-021-00645-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Introduction This study investigated the relationships of pandemic-related stress and coping strategies with different kinds of sexting (i.e., experimental, risky, and emotional) during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Italian context. Methods A sample of 1929 emerging adults (Mage = 24.17, SDage = 2.75; 71.6% girls) completed an online survey about their sexting behaviors during the national lockdown in Italy. Data were gathered in April/May 2020, from 6th to 11th week of home confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression and mediation analyses were performed. Results Pandemic-related stress directly predicted only risky and emotional sexting. Experimental and emotional sexting were positively predicted by social support, and negatively predicted by turning to religion. Risky and emotional sexting were positively predicted by avoidance, and negatively predicted by problem solving. Adaptive coping (i.e., social support) mediated the relationships from pandemic-related stress to both experimental and emotional sexting. Maladaptive coping (i.e., avoidance and problem solving) mediated the relationships from pandemic related-stress to risky and emotional sexting. Conclusions Sexting was a coping tool during COVID-19 lockdown, showing both adaptive and maladaptive facets. Policy Implications Findings suggest new directions for implementing programs of sexual education and safer Internet use targeted to young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Bianchi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Lonigro
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Pompili
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Zammuto
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Di Tata
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mara Morelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Di Norcia
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cannoni
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emiddia Longobardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorenzo Laghi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Bianchi D, Morelli M, Baiocco R, Cattelino E, Chirumbolo A. Patterns of love and sexting in teen dating relationships: The moderating role of conflicts. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2021; 2021:133-155. [PMID: 34109733 PMCID: PMC9292559 DOI: 10.1002/cad.20427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
According to the triangular love theory, this study investigated the roles of three components of love (i.e., passion, intimacy, commitment) and the moderating role of conflicts in predicting different forms of sexting (i.e., experimental, nonconsensual, under pressure) in teen dating relationships. Participants were 409 adolescents (Mage = 17.20, SDage = 1.61; 62.6% girls) who completed an online questionnaire. Three moderated regressions were performed. Conflicts positively predicted all forms of sexting. Passion positively predicted experimental sexting. Intimacy negatively predicted experimental and nonconsensual sexting, and positively predicted sexting under pressure. Three interaction effects emerged, pointing out the moderating role of conflicts. Passion positively predicted nonconsensual sexting in the presence of high conflicts, while this relationship became negative when conflicts were low. Commitment negatively predicted nonconsensual sexting and sexting under pressure in the presence of high conflicts, but these relationships were not significant when conflicts were low. Research and applicative implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Bianchi
- Department of Social & Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mara Morelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Social & Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Cattelino
- Department of Human and Social Science, University of Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy
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Morelli M, Urbini F, Bianchi D, Baiocco R, Cattelino E, Laghi F, Sorokowski P, Misiak M, Dziekan M, Hudson H, Marshall A, Nguyen TTT, Mark L, Kopecky K, Szotkowski R, Toplu Demirtaş E, Van Ouytsel J, Ponnet K, Walrave M, Zhu T, Chen Y, Zhao N, Liu X, Voiskounsky A, Bogacheva N, Ioannou M, Synnott J, Tzani-Pepelasi K, Balakrishnan V, Okumu M, Small E, Pavlova Nikolova S, Drouin M, Chirumbolo A. The Relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and Sexting Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults across 11 Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052526. [PMID: 33806314 PMCID: PMC7967332 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: Sexting is an increasingly common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults. Some studies have investigated the role of personality traits in different sexting behaviors within mainstream personality taxonomies like Big Five and HEXACO. However, very few studies have investigated the role of maladaptive personality factors in sexting. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and experimental (i.e., sharing own sexts), risky (i.e., sexting under substance use and with strangers), and aggravated sexting (i.e., non-consensual sexting and sexting under pressure) across 11 countries. Methods: An online survey was completed by 6093 participants (Mage = 20.35; SDage = 3.63) from 11 different countries which covered four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America). Participants completed the Sexting Behaviors Questionnaire and the 12-item Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that sharing own sexts was positively predicted by Machiavellianism and Narcissism. Both risky and aggravated sexting were positively predicted by Machiavellianism and Psychopathy. Conclusions: The present study provided empirical evidence that different sexting behaviors were predicted by Dark Triad Personality Traits, showing a relevant role of Machiavellianism in all kinds of investigated sexting behaviors. Research, clinical, and education implications for prevention programs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Morelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+39-06-4991-7677
| | - Flavio Urbini
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.U.); (A.C.)
| | - Dora Bianchi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.B.); (R.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.B.); (R.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Elena Cattelino
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Valle D’Aosta, 11100 Aosta, Italy;
| | - Fiorenzo Laghi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.B.); (R.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Piotr Sorokowski
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, 50-527 Wrocław, Poland; (P.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Michal Misiak
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, 50-527 Wrocław, Poland; (P.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Martyna Dziekan
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Adam Mickiewicz University, 60-658 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Heather Hudson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035, USA;
| | - Alexandra Marshall
- College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Thanh Truc T. Nguyen
- College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (T.T.T.N.); (L.M.)
| | - Lauren Mark
- College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (T.T.T.N.); (L.M.)
| | - Kamil Kopecky
- Centre for Prevention of Risky Virtual Communication, Palacky University Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (K.K.); (R.S.)
| | - René Szotkowski
- Centre for Prevention of Risky Virtual Communication, Palacky University Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (K.K.); (R.S.)
| | - Ezgi Toplu Demirtaş
- Psychological Counseling and Guidance, MEF University, Istanbul 34396, Turkey;
| | - Joris Van Ouytsel
- Department of Communication Studies, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (J.V.O.); (M.W.)
- Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Koen Ponnet
- Department of Communication Sciences, imec-mict-Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Michel Walrave
- Department of Communication Studies, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (J.V.O.); (M.W.)
| | - Tingshao Zhu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China; (T.Z.); (Y.C.); (N.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Ya Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China; (T.Z.); (Y.C.); (N.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Nan Zhao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China; (T.Z.); (Y.C.); (N.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiaoqian Liu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China; (T.Z.); (Y.C.); (N.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Alexander Voiskounsky
- Department of General Psychology, Lomonosow Moscow State University, 101000 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nataliya Bogacheva
- Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology, Sechenov University, 101000 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Maria Ioannou
- Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (M.I.); (J.S.); (K.T.-P.)
| | - John Synnott
- Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (M.I.); (J.S.); (K.T.-P.)
| | - Kalliopi Tzani-Pepelasi
- Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (M.I.); (J.S.); (K.T.-P.)
| | - Vimala Balakrishnan
- Department of Information System, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Moses Okumu
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Eusebius Small
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA;
| | - Silviya Pavlova Nikolova
- Department of Social Medicine and Healthcare Organization, Medical University-Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria;
| | - Michelle Drouin
- Department of Psychology, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, USA;
| | - Antonio Chirumbolo
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.U.); (A.C.)
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Morelli M, Chirumbolo A, Bianchi D, Baiocco R, Cattelino E, Laghi F, Sorokowski P, Misiak M, Dziekan M, Hudson H, Marshall A, Nguyen TTT, Mark L, Kopecky K, Szotkowski R, Demirtaş ET, Van Ouytsel J, Ponnet K, Walrave M, Zhu T, Chen Y, Zhao N, Liu X, Voiskounsky A, Bogacheva N, Ioannou M, Synnott J, Tzani-Pepelasi K, Balakrishnan V, Okumu M, Small E, Nikolova SP, Drouin M. The role of HEXACO personality traits in different kinds of sexting:A cross-cultural study in 10 countries. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2020.106502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Online exchange of sexual content (“sexting”) is associated with potentially negative consequences, especially for girls. We investigated possible associations between family functioning and girls’ sexting. Italian teenage girls ( N = 250; Mage = 16.36 years; SDage = 1.88) completed online surveys that evaluated family functioning (communication, flexibility, cohesion, disengagement, chaos, enmeshment, and rigidity) and five sexting behaviors: (a) engaging in sexting, (b) sexting with a partner, (c) number of people with whom girls share sexts, (d) nonconsensual forwarding of sexts, and (e) sexting for emotion regulation. We found that engaging in sexting, sexting for emotion regulation, and the number of people with whom girls share sexts were predicted by age and low family communication. Sexting with a partner was predicted by age and high flexibility, and nonconsensual forwarding of sexts was positively predicted by enmeshment.
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Bianchi D, Morelli M, Baiocco R, Chirumbolo A. Individual differences and developmental trends in sexting motivations. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-00398-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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