Sexting: It's More Common Than You Thought

Sexting, otherwise known as sending sexual texts or images through your cellular device, may be a bit more common than you think, according to research presented at the American Psychological Association's 123rd Annual Convention.

For the purpose of the study, researchers defined sexting as the sending of or receiving of sexually suggestive or explicit content via text, primarily using a mobile device. Participants were then asked if they had ever engaged in such behaviors.

Findings revealed that roughly 88 percent of participants had reported ever having sexted while 82 percent reported that they had sexted within the past year. Another 75 percent said they had sexted in the context of a committed relationship while 43 percent said they sexted as part of a casual relationship.

Researchers noted that sexting was oftentimes associated with greater sexual satisfaction, particularly for those in a relationship, while participants who identified themselves as single had significantly lower overall scores for sexual satisfaction.

While sexting is typically discussed in a more negative context, the study examines its potentially positive effects of open sexual communication with a partner.

"This research indicates that sexting is a prevalent behavior that adults engage in for a variety of reasons," said Emily Stasko, MS, MPH, of Drexel University, who presented the research, in a news release. "These findings show a robust relationship between sexting and sexual and relationship satisfaction."

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