Adolescent Sexting: The Roles of Self-Objectification and Internalization of Media Ideals

Abstract

We examined adolescent sexting using objectification theory as a framework. We hypothesized that sexting is a manifestation of trait self-objectification and the internalization of gender-specific media ideals about attractiveness. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 201 Midwestern adolescents, 14–17 years old. We tested a three-stage path model, which differed for female and male adolescents. For female adolescents, self-objectification was positively associated with favorable attitudes about sexting, which further predicted two types of intentions to engage in sexting: sexting when there is trust in the sexting partner (security-based intentions) and sexting that is spurred by situational cues. Although there was a serial mediation effect of self-objectification on sexting behaviors through sexting attitudes and total sexting intentions, only the indirect effect of sexting attitudes on behaviors through security-based intentions was individually significant. For male adolescents, internalization of media ideals was positively associated with sexting attitudes, which further predicted the two types of sexting intentions. Similar to female adolescents, there was a serial mediation effect of internalization of media ideals on sexting behaviors through sexting attitudes and total sexting intentions; however, only security-based sexting intentions predicted sexting behaviors. Our results have implications regarding how to conceptualize adolescent sexting and how researchers, parents, and educators may help teenage youth to establish healthy sexting attitudes and behaviors. Additional online materials for this article are available to PWQ subscribers on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684318809383

Adolescent Profiles According to Their Beliefs and Affinity to Sexting. A Cluster Study

“…Another widely held belief among young people (approximately half of the adolescents in our study) is that women are the ones who must protect their own privacy, which coincides with research studies that associate being a woman with greater vulnerability and pressure on social media [34][35][36]. The analysis of sexual scripts by gender in adolescence describes how men take on more of a predator and consumer role, whereas women act more like sexual bearers [37], maintaining a double sexual standard in the virtual environment.…”

“…The findings of this study coincide with those carried out by other authors [25,26] insofar as they hold that the majority and dominant discourse among young people is favorable to the practice of sexting and consequently to a virtualized sexuality. Some studies have focused on characterizing those people who show a more favorable attitude towards sexting with the following characteristics: higher levels of online disinhibition and a greater degree of objectification of women [36], greater impulsivity [45], and low socioeconomic level.…”

Attitudes to sexting amongst post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland: a liberal feminist approach

“…A further and common concern is that sexting practices objectify the sexter, reducing the person to their dislocated body partstheir 'boobs', 'six packs' and 'bits'to become the 'collective property of others' (Ringrose and Harvey 2015, 209). An overlooked correlate of sexting, according to Speno and Stevens (2019), is 'selfobjectification', which occurs 'when one takes an observer's perspective on the self by treating oneself as an object to be evaluated by others' (88). Internalised ideals of how young people should look 'is based on the gender-specific models and celebrities' and a 'chronic preoccupation with appearance' or 'trait self-objectification' (89).…”

Sexting among Young People: Towards a Gender Sensitive Approach

“…In spite of this, focus groups with the young people and interviews with a wide range of professionals called into question the scope of the gender disparity within particular contexts. That is, there is a growing evidence base which is demonstrating the wide range of pressures which are influencing both boys and girls to engage in more risky and harmful sexual behaviour, in particular around body image and performance (McAlinden, 2018;Speno and Aubrey, 2019;Setty, 2019). This analysis reinforces the need to recognise more fully the complex relationship between sexting, gender, pressure and the range of potential risks and harms which girls and boys may be exposed to.…”

“…Third, the youth participants made reference to subtle pressures which can be present when images are exchanged: 'it's like prove yourself to me.' 17 Accordingly, the pressure to conform to a particular gender ideal and popular social image of what it means to be a "boy" or a "girl" can instigate the creating, sending and sharing of sexual content among young people (see Ringrose and Renold, 2012;Speno and Aubrey, 2019). Collectively, this brief excerpt illustrates how young people do not feel emotionally prepared to deal with adolescence and are struggling to feel comfortable with their bodies and their physical and sexual development.…”