415 - PERSONALITY AND DIGITAL RISK: A STUDY ON CALLOUS-UNEMOTIONAL TRAITS AND AGGRAVATED SEXTING ACROSS 11 COUNTRIES

Session: P_D10S001 - Poster Session 1 - Division 10
AUTHORS:
Ragona Alessandra (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Morelli Mara (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Ruggeri Lia (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Valle d'Aosta ~ Aosta ~ Italy) , Cattelino Elena (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Valle d'Aosta ~ Aosta ~ Italy) , Chirumbolo Antonio (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
Introduction: Sexting, defined as the sharing of sexually suggestive or provocative content via new technologies, is widely considered as a common sexual behavior among adolescents and young adults. In the literature, two main types of sexting have been studied: experimental and aggravated. Experimental sexting is seen as a normal way of exploring sexuality during interactions with others and is considered part of normal developmental stages. Aggravated sexting, also known as non-consensual sexting, on the other hand, involves sharing someone's explicit content without their consent and has caught researchers' attention because of its possible negative consequences. Prevalence rates of non-consensual sexting vary between countries, influenced by gender and age. The present study examined the relationship between three facets of callous-unemotional traits (i.e., callousness, uncaring, unemotional) and the sharing of non-consensual sexts across different relationship contexts (i.e., acquaintances, strangers, partners).


Method: Data were collected in 11 countries: Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Uganda, and the USA. The final sample comprised 6093 young adults (3682 girls; 2401 boys), aged 13 to 30 (M = 20.35; SD = 3.63). The participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Sexting Behavior Questionnaire and the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits, translated into the language of each country.


Results: The results from a logistic mixed-model show that callous-unemotional traits can predict non-consensual sexting. Specifically, people who are more callous and uncaring, but less unemotional, are more likely to share explicit content without consent, especially with partners and strangers. Additionally, younger people and women were more likely to take part in all types of non-consensual sexting compared to older people and men.


Conclusions: These results will hopefully help in the development of prevention and intervention programs for young people, aimed at promoting healthy and conscious relationships, respect for others, and responsible use of technology.