Sexting and Mental Health Among Emerging Adults: A Pre- and Post-COVID

     The connection between digital intimacy and mental health is a subject of extensive discourse in psychology, communication studies, and cultural research. Sexting, characterized as the transmission of sexually suggestive messages or photos through digital platforms, has historically been regarded as a harmful habit associated with adverse mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, and stress. However, recent research argues that sexting may serve as a normative and relational expression of intimacy, especially among developing adults exploring identity, connection, and sexuality in digital spaces. Despite this debate, few studies have explored how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the mental and emotional impacts of sexting.

       This study examines how the pandemic shift to online interaction has impacted emerging adults' engagement in sexting and its influence on their mental health. Survey data from a pre-COVID cohort in 2019 (n = 286) and a post-COVID cohort in  2024–2025 (n = 300) have been collected. Individuals ages 18–29 completed a Qualtrics survey examining sexting behaviors, demographics (e.g., Gender), and perceived mental health (e.g., Stress, Depression, and Anxiety). A factorial ANOVA will be used to examine differences between pre and post COVID, sexting behaviors, and gender differences among the mental health outcomes.