Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.
Carlos García-Montoliu1, Rafael Ballester-Arnal1, Olga Fernández-García2 Verónica Estruch-García2 and María Dolores Gil-Llario2
1 Universitat Jaume I de Castellón (Spain) 2 Universitat de València (Spain
Background: Sexting is a phenomenon that has transformed people’s sexual interactions. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed these changes over time. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in behaviors, motivations and attitudes towards sexting between two groups of young people assessed at two different times: 2017 (Sexting group; SG17) and 2023 (Sexting group; SG23). Method: The Sexting Behaviors Scale, Sexting Motivations Scale, and Sexting Attitudes Scale were administered to 1246 Spanish youths (51.4% female and 48.6% male) aged 17-25 years (M = 20.36, SD = 2.45). Results: SG23 shared sexual images or messages on social networks more frequently and reported a higher frequency in eight of the ten assessed motivations for practice sexting. Being part of SG23 was also associated with an increased tendency to hold a positive attitude towards sexting within the context of a relationship and a reduced perception of the associated risks. Conclusions: This study highlights the swift evolution of sexual trends in the digital era. It is essential to understand these changes in order to design up-to-date preventive strategies aimed at mitigating potential adverse effects of sexting on mental health.
Antecedentes: El sexting es un fenómeno que ha transformado las interacciones sexuales entre personas. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han evaluado estos cambios a lo largo del tiempo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las diferencias en conductas, motivaciones y actitudes hacia el sexting entre dos grupos de jóvenes evaluados en dos momentos diferentes: uno en 2017 (Sexting group; SG17) y otro en 2023 (Sexting group; SG23). Método: Se administró las Sexting Behaviors Scale, Sexting Motivations Scale, y Sexting Attitudes Scale a 1246 jóvenes españoles (51.4% mujeres y 48.6% hombres) de entre 17 y 25 años (M = 20.36, DT = 2.45). Resultados: El SG23 compartió imágenes o mensajes sexuales en redes sociales más frecuentemente e informó de una mayor frecuencia en ocho de las diez motivaciones para practicar sexting. Formar parte del SG23 también se asoció con una mayor tendencia a mantener una actitud positiva hacia el sexting en el contexto de una relación y una menor percepción de los riesgos asociados. Conclusiones: Este estudio evidencia la rápida evolución de las tendencias sexuales en la era digital. Es esencial comprender estos cambios para diseñar estrategias preventivas dirigidas a mitigar los potenciales efectos adversos del sexting sobre la salud mental.
SPANISH
ENGLISH
https://doi.org/10.70478/psicothema.2025.37.12