Sextually aroused: A mixed-methods analysis of how it feels for romantic and sexual partners to send and receive sext messages

Linking Sexting Expectancies with Motivations to Sext

“…While various definitions of sexting have been established, most often sexting is defined as the sending and/or receiving of a sexually suggestive or explicit text, partial nude photo or video with sexual conations, or a fully nude photo or video [ 1 ]. Sexting a partner has become a somewhat normative behavior in modern American society, with studies demonstrating that over half of a sample engaged in this behavior [ 2 ] as well as in other countries including Australia [ 3 ], Spain [ 4 ], and Germany [ 5 ].…”

“…Sexting a partner has become a somewhat normative behavior in modern American society, with studies demonstrating that over half of a sample engaged in this behavior [ 2 ] as well as in other countries including Australia [ 3 ], Spain [ 4 ], and Germany [ 5 ]. Sexting behaviors have been associated with potential mental health outcomes [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], associated with other sexual behaviors like multiple partners and condomless sex [ 9 ], and certain emotional experiences when sexting [ 1 ]. One emerging area of research in regards to sexting behavior is the study of why individuals participate in sexting.…”

“…With research exploring both the negative and positive aspects to sexting [ 2 , 10 ], understanding the motivations and the expectancies associated with sexting are important nuances for clinicians and others working with individuals who participate in sexting. Individuals who engage in sexting behaviors may view the behavior as fun and exciting [ 1 ] or even as a confidential way to express their sexuality [ 11 , 12 ], and thus report the behavior as beneficial or enhancing their romantic/sex lives. However, others may experience negative outcomes to their sexting behaviors, but still engage in sexting.…”

“…Individuals who engage in sexting for sexual purposes are doing so for the ultimate goal of having sex with the person(s) whom they are sexting [ 18 ]. Individuals who engage in sexting for body image reinforcement are often dealing with anxiety about their appearance or status in the current relationship, and therefore sext to receive reassurance [ 1 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Finally, individuals also are motivated to sext for more instrumental or aggravated reasons, which describes a collection of motivations that indicate a person is sexting for a reason other than wanting to have sex with the person whom they are sexting and/or they are not wanting to receive reinforcement about their body image.…”

“…Individuals who sext also have expectancies on the outcome of the behavior they are participating, called sexting expectancies [ 30 ]. Sexting expectancies have been explored by behavior (sending and receiving) [ 3 , 31 ] as well as by valence (positive and negative) [ 1 , 30 ]. Individuals who have positive sext expectancies believe that sexting makes one more affectionate, intimate, more likely to have sex, and even more attractive to others [ 30 ].…”