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Abstract

Background: Sexting has emerged as a common socio-cultural problem in our society today. Few studies have estimated the prevalence of sexting among younger middle school youth and even fewer have assessed the relationship between sexting and mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression symptoms among middle school youth.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of sexting among sixth and seventh-grade middle school students in a large urban school district in Southeast Texas and to assess its relationship with mental health outcomes (both anxiety and depression) among these youth.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of an existing three-year randomized, two-arm, nested longitudinal study was conducted. Associations between sexting and depression symptoms; and sexting and anxiety symptoms were assessed via univariate and multivariate logistic analysis.

Results: The prevalence of sexting among sixth graders was found to be 12%. Compared to youth who were not engaged in sexting, engagement in sexting was associated with significantly increased odds of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion: Sexting is common among youth and is associated with poorer mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression among these youth, but further validation of these findings is needed.

Key Take Away Points

  • Sexting is a common phenomenon among early middle school youth.
  • Sexting is associated with poorer mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression among these youth, but further validation of these findings is needed.
  • Additional research may inform policymakers, parents, educators and healthcare professionals, the consequences of sexting. Development and implementation of evidence-based interventions to reduce sexting among early middle school youth are needed.

Author Biography

Pooja Chaudhary, MD recently received her MPH from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. Her major research interests include adolescent mental health, autism, neurodevelopmental disabilities and adolescent sexual behaviors. Melissa Peskin, PhD is an Associate professor of Health Promotion, Behavioral Science, and Epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health and Associate Director of Dissemination at the University of Texas Prevention Research Center. She is an expert in the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of adolescent sexual health programs. Jeff R. Temple, PhD is Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health and Director of the Behavioral Health and Research Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Independent School District. Dr. Temple's program of research centers on adolescent romantic relationships with a particular focus on the etiology, classification, assessment, prevention, and treatment of teen dating violence. Robert Addy, PhD is a Faculty Associate of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. He is an expert in behavioral sciences, biostatistics, and epidemiology. He is also data analyst for studies on childhood & adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, and the social determinants of health at Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas School of Public Health. Elizabeth G. Baumler, PhD is a Faculty Associate of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. She is an expert in multilevel modeling, youth risk behaviors, and population health. Ross Shegog, PhD is an Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health and Associate Director of Communication at the University of Texas Prevention Research Center. He is an expert in the application of instructional technology in health promotion and disease prevention to optimally impact adolescent health behavior.

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