Emerging Adult Sexting Behavior and Sexual Behavior

 Background: This study examines sexting behavior and gender differences on overall sexual behavior among emerging adults in a southeastern university. Methods: A sample of 289 emerging adults (ages 18-26) completed an anonymous survey in a cross-sectional study examining sexting behavior and sexual health. Participants were categorized into one of three categories for sexting behavior: Receivers, Non-Sexters, Two-Way Sexters. Results: Factorial ANOVAs were conducted to examine the differences between sexting behavior and gender on emerging adult sexual behavior. There was a significant main effect between sexting behavior on age of first sexual intercourse, F(2, 148) = 9.25, p <.01, η2 = .11. There was no significant main effect for gender (p = .86) or interaction (p = .39). Bonferroni post-hoc analysis found that non-sexters (M = 18.37) received oral sex at a later age compared to receivers and two-way sexters (M = 16.28). There was a significant main effect between sexting behavior and the age participants first received oral sex, F(2, 150) = 10.85, p <.001, η2 = .13. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis found that non-sexters (M = 18.37) received oral sex at a later age compared to receivers and two-way sexters (M = 16.28). A factorial ANOVA was conducted examining sexting behavior and gender differences with the number of lifetime sexual intercourse and oral sex partners; however, no significant findings were found. Discussion: Results indicate that sexting behavior influenced emerging adults' age when they first engaged in sexual behavior.