Sexting motivations and health outcomes in adolescent sexual minority males

Abstract

Sexting has become increasingly common among adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM). However, findings on the association between adolescent sexting and mental health and health-compromising behaviors have been inconsistent, and there remains a paucity of research that examines how different motivations for sexting relate to these outcomes. In addition, research has not yet investigated how sexual identity development might moderate these associations. The present study examined the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic sexting motivations and mental health and substance use outcomes, and whether sexual identity development moderates these relationships. Participants included 332 ASMM aged 16–18 (M = 17.5) who engaged in sexting. The online survey included questions on the frequency of different sexting motivations; measures of sexual identity exploration, commitment, and uncertainty; symptoms of anxiety and depression; and substance use. Sexting for sexual pleasure or romantic intimacy, an intrinsic motivation, was associated with lower levels of mental health symptoms. Sexting in response to coercion, an extrinsic motivation, was associated with higher levels of mental health symptoms and substance use. Higher levels of sexual identity commitment mitigated the positive relationship between coerced sexting and mental health and drug use. Sexting for sexual/romantic reasons reduced the positive association between sexual identity uncertainty and anxiety symptoms. The results highlight the need to differentiate between motivations for adolescent sexting in future research and when designing sexting education curricula.