Sexting Behaviors

Sexting is defined as the sending of digital erotic content through different electronic devices. Diverse authors states that approximately at least 50% of young adults have performed this practice ⁴.

Studies suggest that this behavior is practiced primarily to start or maintain an intimate relationship, and others, support from a risk perspective the sexting with complex and negative consequences. For the study of these factors, various authors propose a categorization according to the element in the chain of communication, such as the type of content (format in which it is carried out, for example: text, photos, videos), forms of participation (active is when one creates the content and shares it, and passive when it is only forwarded), the platform of transmission, characteristics of the message, among others⁵.

Within these essentials, the evaluation of sexting behaviors provides a evaluation that goes beyond the characterization of the frequency and content of the messages, since it allows to portray the habits (moments and ways of realization), the motivation (elements that encourage and initiate the practice) and the emotional expression (psychological repercussions) that unfold before, during and after the practice. Assessing the sexting conduct can provide a better context on the action and influence of the preventive work of the associated risk; without exercising a moral judgment on it⁶.

Mobile Dependency

The World Health Organization establishes the dependence syndrome as the group of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance acquires a much higher priority for a person, causing a loss of interest in other activities, and physical, mental, and social deterioration ⁽⁷. Furthermore, the Internet dependence and the addiction to mobile devices has also been identified, seen as a pathological interaction between human and device, resulting in uncontrollable, excessive, and intermittent use of the smartphone ^8,9.

Mobile dependence can lead to negative effects on interpersonal relationships, physical and mental health, and daily life due to symptoms of tension, dissatisfaction, and loss of interest in other areas of life, anxiety due to separation from the device, generation of distraction in the activities of daily life, academic and professional, isolation, among others; just like it happens with addictions ⁽¹⁰.

In addition, it is known that the use of cell phones is also related to factors such as the used screen time and the number of messages sent, as well as emotional expressions. For example, abstinence and difficulty controlling impulse, can explore aspects related to feelings of the difficulty to stop using the device in the habitual way. Moreover, overuse problems and tolerance can make the social and psychosomatic effects of visible overuse ¹¹.

These two phenomena find a common point as they are contained in the use of smartphones, relational anxiety in communication, and the excessive use of social networks^12). Socially, the cultural determinants that can support the symbolic relationship of these events are related with an intense media and technological culture, such as the production of multimedia content to be shared in the social environment for young adults¹³.

Thus, by allowing instant communication, greater portability, and ease of use of the mobile device, it has been observed that users prefer it to maintain sexting relationships, especially among adolescents and young adults¹⁴.

Previous studies reported that college students are a group that spends an average of at least five hours a day on their phone, mainly involved in leisure activities, interacting with their partner and/or social group. Additionally, college nursing students' articles describe that they are highly dependent on cell phones with (up to 16% of high dependence), which can have negative consequences for them during their training classes, and for the patients they care for during their professional practices¹⁵.

Due to the constant physical and social isolation that is caused by the combination of internships and classes, nursing students can become extremely attached to their smartphones to feel constant connection with their partner, circle of friends, and support nets. This, added to the intense load of emotional and psychological stress can generate a constant need to unload the problems and feelings encountered in professional work, which can increase the use of cell phones to maintain emotional, affective, and even sexual relationships¹⁶.

It is important to mention that, up until now, the relationship between these variables has not been explored, especially from the motivations, conducts, and habits to be able to successfully influence the reduction of risk and allow enjoying the benefits of relationships in the digital platforms, so to sum up, the objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between sexting behaviors and mobile phone dependency in nursing college students.

Demographics

Of the 300 participants, it was established that 25.7% (77) were men, and 74.3% (223) were women. The mean of the age was 20.79 with an (Standard Deviation) SD of 1.9. Secondly, 53.7% (161) were fourth-year students, 30% (90) were first-year students, and 15.7% (47) were second-year students. Regarding the age of beginning sexual intercourse, the participants reported that 78% (234) had begun on average at 17.56 years (2.02 SD); with a minimum of 12 years old and a maximum of 23; overall, men had started their sexual life in 81.8% (63) with an average of debut of 16.5 years (2.08 SD) and women in 76.6% (171) with 17.83 years (2.28 SD). In their current relationship status, they reported that 49.3% (148) had a partner at the time of the survey.

Sexting Behaviors Scale

After obtaining the reliability statistic in the 300 participants (Cronbach's Alpha= 0.99), the participants declared on a 64.7% (194) to have done sexting, of which 70.12% were men and 60.98% were women. Then, 92.26% (179) of the participants stated that they received text messages with sexual content, and 81.95% (159) stated that they responded in the same way.

Secondly, when in the evaluation of the frequency of multimedia content, it was determined that 90.72% (176) received images or videos with sexual content, and 75.77% (147) responded with it. Regarding social networks, 75.77% (147) received suggestive provocative images or messages on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. Finally, it states that 55.67% (108) sent these messages. Finally, 26.28% (51) stated that they had posted suggestive or provocative images on public platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, or Snapchat.

Regarding the habits when performing sexting, 63.91% (124) of the participants declared that they did it with their partner, and 29.89% (58) reported that they did it with someone who attracts them, 15.97% (31) reported doing it when they want to start dating someone and 47.93% (93) reported starting sexting when they intend to have sex. Meanwhile, when asked if they sext with friends, 14.94% (29) stated that they do. Lastly, it was found that 9.79% (19) engage in sexting when partying with friends; 13.91% (27) reported that they sext when they drink alcohol, and 3.60% (7) when they are smoking marijuana or other substances.

Finally, In the emotional expression during sexting, in the first question (does sexting make you more likely to have sex or go out with someoné), the participants answered affirmatively in 49.48% (96). Furthermore, 43.81% (85) reported that it is false that sexting makes them feel immoral, 57.74% (112) declared feeling ashamed and 48.96% (95) reported feeling happy while doing it. Through the scale, it was identified that 68.86% (122) of the students perform sexting in a low intensity, while, in a medium and high intensity, a total of 35.05% (68) and 1.03% (2) are reported. respectively. When categorized according to gender, men have an average of 37.74 and women 31.90 pts, which places both in the low intensity level. The general levels of each component can be seen in graphic 1.

Graphic 1. Distribution of the scores by component of the Sexting Behaviors Scale. 

Mobile Dependency

The instrument had a reliability, obtained with the Cronbach's Alpha statistic of 0.92, in the 300 subjects. In the mobile abstinence section, five questions are considered, where the emotional state is questioned in different situations related to the loss of the cell phone. In this category, stands out that 67.66% (203) agreed to feel bad when they do not have their cell phone, 69.66% (209) said they could not spend a week without their cell phone, and finally 86.33% (259) expressed that he or she may use his or her smartphone during this questionary.

In the next component, abuse and difficulty controlling the impulse, the first question asks the subjects if someone has called them dependent on the cell phone, for which 84.33% (253) answered affirmatively. When asking the students if they have sent more than 5 messages in a day, 98% (294) responded affirmatively and 94.3% (283) admitted that they sleep late or slept less because they are using the cell phone.

Thirdly, on the problems experienced by the subjects due to excessive cell phone use were evaluated. The questions asked, for example, if the subject has set limits on the use of his or her mobile and has not complied with it, for which the subjects answered 82% (246) that they agree. Another the questions in this section questions whether people spent more money than they expected on their cell phones, to which 76.3% (229) responded affirmatively.

In the last component, tolerance, behaviors related to the feeling of needing to use the cell phone more frequently were evaluated. The questions about the feeling of using your cell phone more and more, where 65% (195) agreed with that feeling, also 71% (213) stated that they spend more money now than when they received their cell phone.

Finally, when adding the questions and obtaining the level of dependence on the mobile, it is established that the participants have a mean of 63.9 with a 17.1 SD, in general. Regarding the general categorization, 74% (222) were in a medium dependency, 3.7% (11) were in a low dependency, and 22.3% (67) in a high dependency. For the averages by each component, it is observed that abstinence has a mean of 2.82 pts, abuse and difficulty controlling impulse 3.2 pts, problems due to excessive use 2.3 pts, and tolerance 2.5 pts. Graphic 2 shows the distribution of the data by component.

Graph 2. Distribution of the scores by component of the Mobile Dependency instrument. 

Correlation between behaviors on sexting and mobile dependence

The correlation test between the components and general levels of behaviors on sexting and mobile dependence (Pearson's correlation coefficient) was determined in a range between .149 and .167 and correspond to the dyad abstinence-real participation and abstinence-emotional expression as visualized in table 1. Finally, in the main variables (intensity of participation in sexting and level of dependence on mobile phones) show a positive and directly proportional value is obtained with r²= 2.7%.

Table 1. Correlation with Pearson's P Coefficient on the components of each instrument. 

^{Notes: *}Significant Correlation

Limitations and recommendations

By being a cross-sectional study, lacking temporality, causal relationships cannot be established. Therefore, it is suggested to use a statistical sampling method that considers a greater number of participants to increase statistical power and characterize other college populations.

CONCLUSSION

It is important to interpret this information carefully since there are different perspectives when studying sexting, both as deviant behavior that can favor risky practices such as having unprotected sex and lack of consent and on the other hand as normal behavior, especially in couples who relate through digital devices in which benefits have even been reported, such as increased confidence in one's own body, intimacy with a partner, and satisfaction when having sexual relations. Despite having a statistically significant correlation, it is suggested to explore through qualitative and in-depth studies the relationship between the mediators of both phenomena, as well as the common motivations that these two practices may have.

Secondly, it is important to emphasize that in this research a high level was found, compared to other studies, of mobile dependence meaning that campaigns and strategies to promote responsible and non-problematic use of these devices are an area of opportunity on campaigns to improve the well-being of college students since mobile phone addiction can affect various aspects of them.

In conclusion, by understanding the motivations for the use of mobile devices, the characterization of the prevalence of participation in sexting, and the related emotional expression through social networks, we can establish that far from prohibiting and giving a negative value to relationships, it is recommended to use campaigns positive sexuality to prevent negative effects. Use horizontal and understanding approaches when carrying out educational campaigns on sexting can bring results for minimizing feelings of guilt and increasing the use of digital tools, image editors, use of VPNs (virtual private networks), choosing the right applications to do it with the partner or with other people, among others; summarizing, it can influence the behaviors of doing it by minimizing risks and enjoying the benefits.