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.
Manuel Gámez-Guadix1, Patricia de Santisteban1 and Santiago Resett2
1 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and
2 Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos
Background: Voluntarily sending sexual content (e.g., photos, videos) among adolescents via the Internet and mobile phones, a phenomenon called sexting, is receiving increasing social and research attention. The aims of this study were: 1) to analyze the prevalence and trends of sexting among adolescents by gender and age and 2) to examine the personality profile of adolescents that participated in sexting. Method: The sample consisted of 3,223 Spanish adolescents from 12 to 17 years of age (49.9% female; mean age = 14.06, SD = 1.37) who anonymously and voluntarily completed self-report questionnaires on sexting and the big five personality factors. Results: The overall prevalence of sexting was 13.5%. The prevalence was 3.4% at 12 years old and increased to 36.1% at 17 years of age, showing a growing and significant linear trend. Overall, no differences were found between males and females. The personality profile of those involved in sexting was characterized by higher Extraversion and Neuroticism and by lower scores in Conscientiousness and Agreeableness. Conclusions: Given its high prevalence, beyond adopting a perspective based on the dangers of sexting, an educational approach that emphasizes responsible and informed use of information and communication technologies is necessary.
Sexting entre adolescentes españoles: prevalencia y asociación con variables de personalidad. Antecedentes: el envío de contenidos sexuales (p.ej., fotos y vídeos) entre adolescentes a través de Internet y el teléfono móvil, o sexting, está recibiendo atención social creciente. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: 1) analizar la prevalencia y tendencias por sexo y por edad del sexting entre adolescentes; y 2) examinar el perfil de personalidad de los adolescentes que participan en sexting. Método: participaron 3.223 adolescentes españoles entre 12 y 17 años (49,9% mujeres; edad media = 14,06, DT = 1,37) que completaron de forma anónima y voluntaria autoinformes sobre sexting y sobre los cinco grandes factores de personalidad. Resultados: la prevalencia total del sexting fue del 13,5%. La prevalencia fue del 3,4% a los 12 años y ascendió al 36,1% a los 17, mostrando una tendencia lineal creciente y significativa. En general, no se encontraron diferencias entre varones y mujeres. El perfil de personalidad de quienes se implicaron en sexting se caracterizó por una mayor Extraversión y Neuroticismo y por menor Amabilidad y Responsabilidad. Conclusiones: más allá que adoptar una perspectiva basada en los peligros del sexting, se hace necesario un enfoque educativo que enfatice el uso responsable e informado de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación.
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https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2016.222