title: The association between adolescent sexting, psychosocial difficulties, and risk behavior: integrative review.
abstract: When a sexting message spreads to an unintended audience, it can adversely affect the victim's reputation. Sexting incidents constitute a potential school safety risk. Just as with other types of adolescent risk behavior, school nurses might have to initiate the first response when a sexting episode arises, but a school nurse's role goes beyond intervention. They can also play an important role in the prevention of sexting and its related risks. This article reviews the links between adolescent sexting, other types of risk behavior, and its emotional and psychosocial conditions. Seven databases were examined and nine studies remained for further review. The review of the literature shows that adolescent sexting is cross sectionally associated with a range of health-risk behaviors. Youth who engage in sexting are also found to experience peer pressure and a range of emotional difficulties. The results can guide school nurse education and practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium joris.vanouytsel@uantwerp.be.
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Ouytsel
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walrave
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Higher Institute for Family Sciences, HUBrussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ponnet
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wannes
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heirman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012573:School Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D060145:Text Messaging
keywords: behavioral problems; electronic media; health problems; integrative review; sexting; violence