Predicting type of sext message sent in adults 25 and older using motivations to sext and relational attachment

There is a paucity of research analyzing sexting behaviors in adults aged 25 and older. The majority of research into sexting focuses on emerging adult populations and adolescents. While sexting has been studied in regard to relational attachment and motivations to sext, little is known about how these constructs are associated with older adults’ sexting behaviors and how they relate to the type of sext message sent. To that end, the current study sought to predict the type of sext message (image or text only) sent based on relational attachment and sexting motivations. A significant logistic regression model was found (χ2(6) = 51.97, p < .001), with relational anxiety and body image reinforcement being significant predictors of adults sending a partially and/or nude image in a sext message. Interestingly, gender was not a significant predictor. Gender not being a significant predictor differs from research into emerging adult relational attachment styles and sexting behaviors. Individuals who sexted for body image reinforcement were more likely to send an image as a sext message. Those who were higher on relational anxiety were less likely to send an image as a sext message.