Sexting among young men who have sex with men: results from a national survey

J Adolesc Health. 2014 May;54(5):606-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.10.013. Epub 2013 Dec 18.

Abstract

Purpose: We know little about the prevalence of sexting behavior among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) or its association with their sexual behaviors.

Methods: To address these gaps, we used data from an online study examining the partner-seeking behaviors of single YMSM (N = 1,502; ages 18-24 years) in the United States. Most participants (87.5%) reported sexting, with 75.7% of the sample reporting having sent and received a sext.

Results: Sexting was more frequent among sexually active YMSM, with YMSM who had sent and received a sext being more likely to report insertive anal intercourse, with and without condoms, than those who had not sexted. We found no association between sexting and receptive anal intercourse.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that sexting may vary by YMSM's sexual roles. We discuss our findings with attention to their implications for sexual health promotion.

Keywords: Gay; Homosexuality; Sexual behavior; Text messaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peer Group
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Text Messaging / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult