Top

Published in:

16-05-2024 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Sin in the Digital Flesh? Religiosity and the Sexting Behavior of Women and Men in the United States

Authors: Laura Upenieks, Rudra Chakraborty, Terrence D. Hill

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Scholars have noted a rise in sexting behavior in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the association between religion and sexual behavior has been widely studied, researchers have yet to consider whether sexting behavior might vary according to levels of religiosity. Building on prior research, this study uses national survey data to formally test whether several dimensions of religiosity (religious attendance, divine control, and religious/spiritual struggles) are associated with the sexting behavior of women (n = 619, M_age = 40.28, SD = 11.50) and men (n = 548, M_age = 40.04, SD = 11.51). Results suggest that the odds of sexting are lower among women who report higher levels of in-person religious attendance (not virtual attendance) and greater perceptions of divine control. Among women and men, the odds of sexting are higher among those who report more religious/spiritual struggles. This study is among the first to show how various dimensions of religiosity might influence sexting behavior in different ways for women and men during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important for future research to replicate our findings and to consider whether other dimensions of religiosity might also contribute to the likelihood of sexting in an increasingly digital world.

Available only for authorised users

Adamczyk, A. (2009). Socialization and selection in the link between friends’ religiosity and the transition to sexual intercourse. Sociology of Religion, 70(1), 5–27.CrossRef

Adamczyk, A., & Felson, J. (2006). Friends’ religiosity and first sex. Social Science Research, 35(4), 924–947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2005.04.003CrossRef

Adamczyk, A., & Felson, J. (2008). Fetal positions: Unraveling the influence of religion on premarital pregnancy resolution. Social Science Quarterly, 89(1), 17–38.CrossRef

Alpalhão, M., & Filipe, P. (2020). The impacts of isolation measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection on sexual health. AIDS and Behavior, 24, 2258–2259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02853-xCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Ballester-Arnal, R., Castro-Calvo, J., Gimenez-Garcia, C., Gil-Julia, B., & Gil-Llario, M. D. (2020). Psychiatric comorbidity in compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). Addictive Behaviors, 107, 106384.CrossRefPubMed

Balzarini, R. N., Muise, A., Zoppolat, G., Gesselman, A. N., Lehmiller, J. J., Garcia, J. R., & Mark, K. P. (2022). Sexual desire in the time of COVID-19: How COVID-related stressors are associated with sexual desire in romantic relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(8), 3823–3838. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02365-wCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Bianchi, D., Baiocco, R., Lonigro, A., Pompili, S., Zammuto, M., Di Tata, D., & Laghi, F. (2021). Love in quarantine: Sexting, stress, and coping during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 20, 465–478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00645-zCrossRefPubMed

Burdette, A. M., Ellison, C. G., & Hill, T. D. (2005). Conservative Protestantism and tolerance toward homosexuals: An examination of potential mechanisms. Sociological Inquiry, 75(2), 177–196. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-682X.2005.00118.xCrossRef

Burdette, A. M., Ellison, C. G., Hill, T. D., & Glenn, N. D. (2009). “Hooking up” at college: Does religion make a difference? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 48(3), 535–551. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5906.2009.01464.xCrossRef

Burdette, A. M., & Hill, T. D. (2009). Religious involvement and transitions into adolescent sexual activities. Sociology of Religion, 70(1), 28–48. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srp011CrossRef

Burdette, A. M., Hill, T. D., & Myers, K. (2015). Understanding religious variations in sexuality and sexual health. In J. DeLamater & R. F. Plante (Eds.), Handbook of the sociology of sexualities (pp. 349–370). Springer.CrossRef

Burén, J., & Lunde, C. (2018). Sexting among adolescents: A nuanced and gendered online challenge for young people. Computers in Human Behavior, 85, 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.02.003CrossRef

Caponnetto, P., Maglia, M., Prezzavento, G. C., & Pirrone, C. (2022). Sexual addiction, hypersexual behavior and relative psychological dynamics during the period of social distancing and stay-at-home policies due to COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 2704. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052704CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Castañeda, D. M. (2017). Sexting and sexuality in romantic relationships among Latina/o emerging adults. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 12(2), 120–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2017.1298069CrossRef

Cocci, A., Giunti, D., Tonioni, C., Cacciamani, G., Tellini, R., Polloni, G., & Russo, G. I. (2020). Love at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic: Preliminary results of an online survey conducted during the quarantine in Italy. International Journal of Impotence Research, 32(5), 556–557. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-0305-xCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Cohen, D., Kim, E., & Hudson, N. W. (2014). Religion, the forbidden, and sublimation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(3), 208–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414531436CrossRef

Collett, J. L., & Lizardo, O. (2009). A power-control theory of gender and religiosity. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 48(2), 213–231. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5906.2009.01441.xCrossRef

Coutts, E., & Jann, B. (2011). Sensitive questions in online surveys: Experimental results for the randomized response technique (RRT) and the unmatched count technique (UCT). Sociological Methods & Research, 40(1), 169–193. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124110390768CrossRef

Davidson, J. K., Moore, N. B., & Ullstrup, K. M. (2004). Religiosity and sexual responsibility: Relationships of choice. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28(4), 335–346. https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.28.4.5CrossRefPubMed

de Oliveira, L., & Carvalho, J. (2021). Women’s sexual health during the pandemic of COVID-19: Declines in sexual function and sexual pleasure. Current Sexual Health Reports, 13, 76–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-021-00309-4CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

DeAngelis, R. T. (2018). Goal-striving stress and self-concept: The moderating role of perceived divine control. Society and Mental Health, 8(2), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156869317717767CrossRef

DeAngelis, R. T., & Ellison, C. G. (2017). Kept in his care: The role of perceived divine control in positive reappraisal coping. Religions, 8(8), 133. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel8080133CrossRef

DeLamater, J. (1981). The social control of sexuality. Annual Review of Sociology, 7(1), 263–290.CrossRefPubMed

Delcea, C., Chirilă, V. I., & Săuchea, A. M. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 on sexual life—A meta-analysis. Sexologies, 30(1), e49–e54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2020.12.001CrossRef

Dollahite, D. C., Hawkins, A. J., & Parr, M. R. (2012). “Something More”: The meanings of marriage for religious couples in America. Marriage & Family Review, 48(4), 339–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2012.674480CrossRef

Döring, N. (2014). Consensual sexting among adolescents: Risk prevention through abstinence education or safer sexting. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 8(1), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2014-1-9CrossRef

Döring, N. (2020). How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our sexualities? An overview of the current media narratives and research hypotheses. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49, 2765–2778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01790-zCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Drouin, M., Coupe, M., & Temple, J. R. (2017). Is sexting good for your relationship? It depends. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 749–756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.018CrossRef

Drouin, M., Vogel, K. N., Surbey, A., & Stills, J. R. (2013). Let’s talk about sexting, baby: Computer-mediated sexual behaviors among young adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(5), A25–A30.CrossRef

Duguay, S., Dietzel, C., & Myles, D. (2022). The year of the “virtual date”: Reimagining dating app affordances during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Media & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448211072257CrossRef

Eleuteri, S., Alessi, F., Petruccelli, F., & Saladino, V. (2022). The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals’ and couples’ sexuality. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 798260. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.798260CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Ellison, C. G., Fang, Q., Flannelly, K. J., & Steckler, R. A. (2013). Spiritual struggles and mental health: Exploring the moderating effects of religious identity. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 23(3), 214–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2012.759868CrossRef

Ellison, C. G., & Lee, J. (2010). Spiritual struggles and psychological distress: Is there a dark side of religion. Social Indicators Research, 98, 501–517. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9553-3CrossRef

Ellison, C. G., & Sherkat, D. E. (1995). The “semi-involuntary institution” revisited: Regional variations in church participation among black Americans. Social Forces, 73(4), 1415–1437. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/73.4.1415CrossRef

Emmons, R. A. (1999). Religion in the psychology of personality: An introduction. Journal of Personality, 67(6), 874–888. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00076CrossRef

Exline, J. J., Park, C. L., Smyth, J. M., & Carey, M. P. (2011). Anger toward God: Social-cognitive predictors, prevalence, and links with adjustment to bereavement and cancer. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(1), 129–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021716CrossRefPubMed

Faigin, C. A., Pargament, K. I., & Abu-Raiya, H. (2014). Spiritual struggles as a possible risk factor for addictive behaviors: An initial empirical investigation. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 24(3), 201–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2013.837661CrossRef

Farley, M. A. (1976). Sources of sexual inequality in the history of Christian thought. The Journal of Religion, 56(2), 162–176.CrossRef

Flannelly, K. J., Galek, K., Ellison, C. G., & Koenig, H. G. (2010). Beliefs about God, psychiatric symptoms, and evolutionary psychiatry. Journal of Religion and Health, 49, 246–261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9244-zCrossRefPubMed

Freitas, D. (2008). Sex and the soul: Juggling sexuality, spirituality, romance, and religion on America’s college campuses. Oxford University Press.

Gillum, R. F., & Holt, C. L. (2010). Associations between religious involvement and behavioral risk factors for HIV/AIDS in American women and men in a national health survey. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(3), 284–293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9218-0CrossRefPubMed

Gorsuch, R. L., & Butler, M. C. (1976). Initial drug abuse: A review of predisposing social psychological factors. Psychological Bulletin, 83(1), 120–137. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.83.1.120CrossRefPubMed

Hanna-Walker, V., Walters, T. L., Wesche, R., Leavitt, C. E., & Lefkowitz, E. S. (2023). Religiosity, sexual behaviors, sexual motivations, and gender: A three-year longitudinal study. Journal of Research on Adolescence. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12849CrossRefPubMed

Harvey, G. (2014). Food, sex and strangers: Understanding religion as everyday life. Routledge.CrossRef

Henrie, J., & Patrick, J. H. (2014). Religiousness, religious doubt, and death anxiety. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 78(3), 203–227. https://doi.org/10.2190/AG.78.3CrossRefPubMed

Hertel, B. R., & Hughes, M. (1987). Religious affiliation, attendance, and support for “pro-family” issues in the United States. Social Forces, 65(3), 858–882. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/65.3.858CrossRef

Higgins, J. A., Trussell, J., Moore, N. B., & Davidson, J. K. (2010). Virginity lost, satisfaction gained? Physiological and psychological sexual satisfaction at heterosexual debut. Journal of Sex Research, 47(4), 384–394. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224491003774792CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Hill, T. D., Zeng, L., Rambotti, S., Mossakowski, K. N., & Johnson, R. J. (2021). Sad eyes, crooked crosses: Religious struggles, Psychological distress and the mediating role of psychosocial resources. Journal of Religion and Health, 60(4), 2573–2591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01273-yCrossRefPubMed

Hudson, H. K., & Fetro, J. V. (2015). Sextual activity: Predictors of sexting behaviors and intentions to sext among selected undergraduate students. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 615–622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.048CrossRef

Hull, S. J., Hennessy, M., Bleakley, A., Fishbein, M., & Jordan, A. (2011). Identifying the causal pathways from religiosity to delayed adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of Sex Research, 48(6), 543–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2010.521868CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., & Williams, D. R. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging, 25(4), 327–365. https://doi.org/10.1177/016402750302500400CrossRef

Kent, B. V., & Pieper, C. M. (2019). To know and be known: An intimacy-based explanation for the gender gap in biblical literalism. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 58(1), 231–250. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12580CrossRef

Krejci, M. J. (1998). Gender comparison of God schemas: A multidimensional scaling analysis. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 8(1), 57–66.CrossRef

Lehmiller, J. J., Garcia, J. R., Gesselman, A. N., & Mark, K. P. (2020). Less sex, but more sexual diversity: Changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Leisure Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2020.1774016CrossRef

Lehmiller, J. J., Garcia, J. R., Gesselman, A. N., & Mark, K. P. (2021). Less sex, but more sexual diversity: Changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Leisure Sciences, 43(1–2), 295–304. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327582ijpr0801_7CrossRef

Leonhardt, N. D., Busby, D. M., & Willoughby, B. J. (2020). Sex guilt or sanctification? The indirect role of religiosity on sexual satisfaction. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 12(2), 213–222. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000245CrossRef

Levin, J. S., Taylor, R. J., & Chatters, L. M. (1995). A multidimensional measure of religious involvement for African Americans. The Sociological Quarterly, 36(1), 157–173. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1995.tb02325.xCrossRef

Lindberg, L. D., VandeVusse, A., Mueller, J. & Kirstein, M. (2020). Early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the 2020 Guttmacher survey of reproductive health experiences. New York: Guttmacher Institute, 24 June 2020. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/early-impacts-covid-19-pandemic-findings-2020-guttmacher-survey-reproductive-health

Longest, K. C., & Uecker, J. E. (2018). Moral communities and sex: The religious influence on young adult sexual behavior and regret. Sociological Perspectives, 61(3), 361–382. https://doi.org/10.1177/073112141773001CrossRef

Lorentz, M. S., Chagas, L. B., Perez, A. V., da Silva Cassol, P. A., Vettorazzi, J., & Lubianca, J. N. (2021). Correlation between depressive symptoms and sexual dysfunction in postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 258, 162–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.12.039CrossRef

Luquis, R. R., Brelsford, G. M., & Rojas-Guyler, L. (2012). Religiosity, spirituality, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors among college students. Journal of Religion and Health, 51, 601–614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9527-zCrossRefPubMed

Madigan, S., Ly, A., Rash, C. L., Van Ouytsel, J., & Temple, J. R. (2018). Prevalence of multiple forms of sexting behavior among youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(4), 327–335. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5314CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

McConnell, K. M., Pargament, K. I., Ellison, C. G., & Flannelly, K. J. (2006). Examining the links between spiritual struggles and symptoms of psychopathology in a national sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(12), 1469–1484. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20325CrossRefPubMed

McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135(1), 69–93. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014213CrossRefPubMed

McFarland, M. J., Uecker, J. E., & Regnerus, M. D. (2011). The role of religion in shaping sexual frequency and satisfaction: Evidence from married and unmarried older adults. Journal of Sex Research, 48(2–3), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224491003739993CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

McMahan, K. D., & Olmstead, S. B. (2020). Motivations against sex and number of sexual partners: A two-study replication and extension. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 15(3), 287–309. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2020.1763881CrossRef

Meier, A. M. (2003). Adolescents’ transition to first intercourse, religiosity, and attitudes about sex. Social Forces, 81(3), 1031–1052. https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.2003.0039CrossRef

Mestre-Bach, G., Blycker, G. R., & Potenza, M. N. (2020). Pornography use in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 9(2), 181–183. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2020.00015CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Miller, L., & Gur, M. (2002). Religiousness and sexual responsibility in adolescent girls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31(5), 401–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00403-2CrossRef

Morelli, M., Urbini, F., Bianchi, D., Baiocco, R., Cattelino, E., Laghi, F., & Chirumbolo, A. (2021). The relationship between dark triad personality traits and sexting behaviors among adolescents and young adults across 11 countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2526. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052526CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Mori, C., Cooke, J. E., Temple, J. R., Ly, A., Lu, Y., Anderson, N., & Madigan, S. (2020). The prevalence of sexting behaviors among emerging adults: A meta-analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49, 1103–1119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01656-4CrossRefPubMed

Mori, C., Temple, J. R., Browne, D., & Madigan, S. (2019). Association of sexting with sexual behaviors and mental health among adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(8), 770–779. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1658CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Nadal, A. R., Hardy, S. A., & Barry, C. M. (2018). Understanding the roles of religiosity and spirituality in emerging adults in the United States. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 10(1), 30–43. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000104CrossRef

Nagel, P. O. N., Cummings, T., Hansen, C. H., & Ott, M. A. (2013). Predictors of sexting in a university population. Journal of Adolescent Health, 52(2), S87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.204CrossRef

Nicolson, P. (1993). Deconstructing sexology: Understanding the pathologization of female sexuality. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 11, 191–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646839308403218CrossRef

Page, R. L., Peltzer, J. N., Burdette, A. M., & Hill, T. D. (2020). Religiosity and health: A holistic biopsychosocial perspective. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 38(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010118783502CrossRefPubMed

Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(4), 519–543. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200004)56:4%3c519::AID-JCLP6%3e3.0.CO;2-1CrossRefPubMed

Pargament, K. I., & Raiya, H. A. (2007). A decade of research on the psychology of religion and coping: Things we assumed and lessons we learned. Psyke & Logos, 28(2), 25–25. https://doi.org/10.7146/pl.v28i2.8398CrossRef

Pascoal, P. M., Carvalho, J., Raposo, C. F., Almeida, J., & Beato, A. F. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on sexual health: A preliminary framework based on a qualitative study with clinical sexologists. Sexual Medicine, 9(1), 100299–100299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2020.100299CrossRefPubMed

Pasternak, B., Ember, C., & Ember, M. (1997). Sex, gender, and kinship: A cross-cultural perspective. Prentice Hall.

Regnerus, M. D. (2007). Forbidden fruit: Sex & religion in the lives of American teenagers. Oxford University Press.CrossRef

Regnerus, M. D., & Smith, C. (2005). Selection effects in studies of religious influence. Review of Religious Research, 47(1), 23–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/4148279CrossRef

Robinson, O. C., Hanson, K., Hayward, G., & Lorimer, D. (2019). Age and cultural gender equality as moderators of the gender difference in the importance of religion and spirituality: Comparing the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 58(1), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12567CrossRef

Roof, W. C., & McKinney, W. (1987). American mainline religion: Its changing shape and future. Rutgers University Press.

Rostosky, S. S., Wilcox, B. L., Wright, M. L. C., & Randall, B. A. (2004). The impact of religiosity on adolescent sexual behavior: A review of the evidence. Journal of Adolescent Research, 19(6), 677–697.CrossRef

Samimi, P., & Alderson, K. G. (2014). Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 230–241. Sexting among Undergraduate Students. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.027CrossRef

Schieman, S., Bierman, A., Upenieks, L., & Ellison, C. G. (2017). Love thy self? How belief in a supportive God shapes self-esteem. Review of Religious Research, 59, 293–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-017-0292-7CrossRef

Schieman, S., Pudrovska, T., & Milkie, M. A. (2005). The sense of divine control and the self-concept: A study of race differences in late life. Research on Aging, 27(2), 165–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/016402750427048CrossRef

Schieman, S., Pudrovska, T., Pearlin, L. I., & Ellison, C. G. (2006). The sense of divine control and psychological distress: Variations across race and socioeconomic status. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 45(4), 529–549. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5906.2006.00326.xCrossRef

Schnabel, L. (2018). More religious, less dogmatic: Toward a general framework for gender differences in religion. Social Science Research, 75, 58–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2018.06.010CrossRefPubMed

Schnabel, L., & Schieman, S. (2022). Religion protected mental health but constrained crisis response during crucial early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 61(2), 530–543. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12720CrossRefPubMed

Scholes-Balog, K., Francke, N., & Hemphill, S. (2016). Relationships between sexting, self-esteem, and sensation seeking among Australian young adults. Sexualization, Media, & Society, 2(2), 2374623815627790. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374623815627790CrossRef

Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2014). Distinguishing the viewers, downloaders, and exchangers of Internet child pornography by individual differences: Preliminary findings. Digital Investigation, 11(4), 252–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diin.2014.07.003CrossRef

Shariff, A. F., & Norenzayan, A. (2007). God is watching you: Priming God concepts increases prosocial behavior in an anonymous economic game. Psychological Science, 18(9), 803–809. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01983.xCrossRefPubMed

Sherkat, D. E., & Ellison, C. G. (1997). The cognitive structure of a moral crusade: Conservative Protestantism and opposition to pornography. Social Forces, 75(3), 957–980. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/75.3.957CrossRef

Sherkat, D. E., & Wilson, J. (1995). Preferences, constraints, and choices in religious markets: An examination of religious switching and apostasy. Social Forces, 73(3), 993–1026. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/73.3.993CrossRef

Smith, C. (2003). Theorizing religious effects among American adolescents. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42(1), 17–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5906.t01-1-00158CrossRef

Steensland, B., Robinson, L. D., Wilcox, W. B., Park, J. Z., Regnerus, M. D., & Woodberry, R. D. (2000). The measure of American religion: Toward improving the state of the art. Social Forces, 79(1), 291–318. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/79.1.291CrossRef

Stroope, S. (2012). Social networks and religion: The role of congregational social embeddedness in religious belief and practice. Sociology of Religion, 73(3), 273–298. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srr052CrossRef

Thornton, A., & Camburn, D. (1989). Religious participation and adolescent sexual behavior and attitudes. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51(3), 641–653. https://doi.org/10.2307/352164CrossRef

Twenge, J. M., Sherman, R. A., & Wells, B. E. (2015). Changes in American adults’ sexual behavior and attitudes, 1972–2012. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44, 2273–2285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0540-2CrossRefPubMed

Twenge, J. M., Sherman, R. A., & Wells, B. E. (2017). Sexual inactivity during young adulthood is more common among US Millennials and iGen: Age, period, and cohort effects on having no sexual partners after age 18. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46(2), 433–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0798-zCrossRefPubMed

Uecker, J. E. (2008). Religion, pledging, and the premarital sexual behavior of married young adults. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(3), 728–744. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00517.xCrossRef

Upenieks, L. (2021). Changes in religious doubt and physical and mental health in emerging adulthood. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 60(2), 332–361. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12712CrossRef

Upenieks, L. (2022). Religious/spiritual struggles and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Does “talking religion” help or hurt? Review of Religious Research, 64(2), 249–278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-022-00487-CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Upenieks, L., Schieman, S., & Bierman, A. (2022). Jitters on the eve of the great recession: Is the belief in divine control a protective resource? Sociology of Religion, 83(2), 194–221. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srab018CrossRef

Uzieblo, K., & Prescott, D. (2020). Online pornography use during the covid-19 pandemic: Should we worry? part I. Sexual Abuse.

Van Ouytsel, J., Van Gool, E., Ponnet, K., & Walrave, M. (2014). Brief report: The association between adolescents’ characteristics and engagement in sexting. Journal of Adolescence, 37(8), 1387–1391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.10.004CrossRefPubMed

Van Ouytsel, J., Van Gool, E., Walrave, M., Ponnet, K., & Peeters, E. (2017). Sexting: Adolescents’ perceptions of the applications used for, motives for, and consequences of sexting. Journal of Youth Studies, 20(4), 446–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2016.1241865CrossRef

Van Tongeren, D. R., Hook, J. N., & Davis, D. E. (2013). Defensive religion as a source of meaning in life: A dual mediational model. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5(3), 227–232. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032695CrossRef

Vazsonyi, A. T., & Jenkins, D. D. (2010). Religiosity, self-control, and virginity status in college students from the “Bible Belt”: A research note. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 49(3), 561–568. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5906.2010.01529.xCrossRefPubMed

Walsh, D. (2019). Young people’s considerations and attitudes towards the consequences of sexting. Educational & Child Psychology, 36(1), 58–73.CrossRef

Weisskrich, R., & Delevi, R. (2011). ‘“Sexting”’ and adult romantic attachment. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 1697–1701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.02.008CrossRef

Wiederhold, B. K. (2015). Does sexting improve adult sexual relationships? Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18, 627–627. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2015.29014.bkwCrossRefPubMed

Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2014). “Sexting” and its relation to sexual activity and sexual risk behavior in a national survey of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(6), 757–764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.07.012CrossRef

Yépez-Tito, P., Ferragut, M., & Blanca, M. J. (2019). Prevalence and profile of sexting among adolescents in Ecuador. Journal of Youth Studies, 22(4), 505–519. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2018.1515475CrossRef

Title: Sin in the Digital Flesh? Religiosity and the Sexting Behavior of Women and Men in the United States
Authors: Laura Upenieks
Rudra Chakraborty
Terrence D. Hill
Publication date: 16-05-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02059-8

ERS Congress 2024

Springer Medicine

Sin in the Digital Flesh? Religiosity and the Sexting Behavior of Women and Men in the United States

Abstract

ERS Congress 2024

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2024

The Relationship Between Preparedness for Caregiving and Spiritual Well-Being in the Carers of Stroke Patients: A Case Study in Türkiye

Positive Childhood Experiences and Spiritual Well-Being: Psychological Flexibility and Meaning-Based Coping as Mediators in Turkish Sample

Longitudinal Associations Between Depression and Religiosity/Spirituality Among Individuals with Asthma in the United States

Religiosity of Latinas Living in the USA Curbs Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Offender Rehabilitation: The Middle Way of Maimonides to Mental and Social Health

Barriers and Facilitators to 24-Month Maintenance of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Program in the U.S.