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Popular peer norms and adolescent sexting behavior.
Anne J Maheux1, Reina Evans2, Laura Widman2
1University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychology, 210 S. Bouquet St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
Journal of Adolescence
|December 17, 2019
Summary
Adolescents often misperceive popular peers' sexting behaviors. Believing popular peers sext increases adolescent sexting risk, highlighting the influence of perceived social norms on risky behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescents are heavily influenced by perceived peer behaviors, particularly those of popular individuals.
- Adolescent sexting is a growing concern, yet research on its link to peer influence is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine sexting rates among popular versus non-popular adolescents.
- To investigate the association between perceptions of popular peers' sexting and adolescents' own sexting behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 626 rural adolescents (Mage = 17.4, 53.5% female).
- Data collected included self-reported sexting, perceptions of popular peers' sexting, and peer status nominations.
Main Results:
- Adolescents overestimated popular peers' sexting rates (87.4% belief vs. 62.5% actual).
- Perceived popular peer sexting significantly predicted individual sexting (OR > 10).
- Gender differences in sexting varied based on perceived peer norms.
Conclusions:
- Perceptions of peer norms, especially among popular peers, are crucial in understanding adolescent sexting.
- Adolescent risk-taking behaviors are shaped by social influence and perceived social norms.
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