Heather Hudson

Background: Sexting is an increasingly common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults. Some studies have investigated the role of personality traits in different sexting behaviors within mainstream personality taxonomies like Big Five and HEXACO. However, very few studies have investigated the role of maladaptive personality factors in sexting. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and experimental (i.e., sharing own sexts), risky (i.e., sexting under substance use and with strangers), and aggravated sexting (i.e., non-consensual sexting and sexting under pressure) across 11 countries. Methods: An online survey was completed by 6093 participants (Mage = 20.35; SDage = 3.63) from 11 different countries which covered four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America). Participants completed the Sexting Behaviors Questionnaire and the 12-item Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses showed ...

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine predictors of sexting behaviors among college students. Participants: Participants were 697 undergraduates at a midsized, Midwestern public university. Methods: A 111-item instrument measured participants’ sextual activity (i.e., range of different sexting behaviors) regarding constructs from the Theory of Reasoned Action (attitudes, subjective norms, behavioral intentions, behaviors), global self-esteem levels, and selected demographics. Results: Predictors of sexting behaviors among selected undergraduate students include attitudes toward sexting, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions. Predictors of intentions to sext include attitudes toward sexting, and subjective norms. Conclusions: Social norms and personality traits can help predict whether or not young adults will sext and the scope of their sexting behaviors. Many college students sext for many different reasons and those who have sexted before are likely to sext again. Further, many of those who have not sexted intend to do so given the right circumstance. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate consumer (instructor) reception of Channel Surfing Contraceptives in order to determine components necessary for creation of peer-led educational videos to teach sensitive contraceptive topics. Methods: Two focus group interviews with introductory-level undergraduate personal health instructors were conducted to evaluate a peer-led contraception video. Results: Strengths of the video included (a) use as effective introduction of topic, (b) use of relevant content, (c) use of humor, and (d) inclusion of diverse cast. Additionally, several video weaknesses were (a) lack of in-depth content, (b) inappropriate content and visuals, and (c) lack of diverse cast. Conclusion: The use of peer-led educational media for sensitive topics is advantageous for several reasons. Peer-led media instruction is a way to engage students with more modern teaching techniques, rather than showing educational videos that are expensive or dated. Additionally,...

Four focus groups of undergraduate students (n = 32) were conducted to elicit perceptions regarding how text messaging affects personal health. Participant responses were coded and themed into five health dimensions: physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual. Results of focus groups showed several main themes linked each dimension of health, except for spiritual health. Emergent themes regarding physical health were perceived to be more negative than positive. Perceptions of effects on emotional, social, and mental health were mixed. Social health was consistently impacted the most. Participants favored short-term positive effects of texting, regardless of their potential long-term negative consequences. Participants noted many negative consequences of texting in inappropriate situations. Most, however, admitted to text messaging regardless of how severe they perceived an outcome might be to their health and/or future. Implications for school health and health education inc...

Few lifestyle intervention programs address the needs of financially disadvantaged, low literacy populations. The overall goal of the Illinois WISEWOMAN Program (IWP) was to design such a program and test its effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, specifically physical activity and nutrition factors. The purpose of this paper is to describe the IWP study design and methods, development of the evidence-based curriculum appropriate for a low socioeconomic status (SES) population, and baseline characteristics of IWP participants. The Cooper Institute, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the University of Illinois at Chicago, adapted evidence-based interventions for financially disadvantaged, low literacy populations. The study used a randomized, two-group, experimental design. In total, 1021 women were recruited from the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which serves uninsured and underinsured women, aged 40-64, at or below 200% of poverty. The women were randomized to either a minimum intervention (MI) or an enhanced intervention (EI) group. Both groups received CVD risk factor screening and educational materials. Additionally, the EI group received a 12-week lifestyle intervention. Baseline comparisons show equivalent groups. IWP participants had a higher prevalence of obesity and smoking than similar national samples. IWP addressed many of the cultural and implementation barriers in programs that seek to improve the health of financially disadvantaged, low literacy populations. Because of the high burden of disease, the unique study population, and the sound design, we anticipate that our future results will contribute to the translation literature, which has largely ignored significant health disparities.

... pro-golfer Tiger Woods's “sexting scandal” that went public at the end 2009 (Smith, 2010). Using explicit sexting acronyms in his lyrics, Ludacris raps about sexting as a mode for arousing sexual communication. Yet, in other verses, he states that his sexting

TITLE: Sexting Behaviors and Consequences Among Selected Southern Undergraduates BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess sexting behaviors (i.e. sending, posting, or sharing/forwarding sexually suggestive messages, nude/semi-nude pictures/videos, or both) and health consequences of sexting behaviors among selected undergraduate students living in the South. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: Social Cognitive Theory – This generation of college students have been using mobile devices for many years, so the behavioral capability is primed for sexting. The college campus environment and society at large may be perceived to support sexting. Through observational learning, students may witness their peers achieve desired outcomes and adopt this behavior. Students may anticipate positive outcomes from sexting themselves (expectations) and value those outcomes (expectancies). HYPOTHESIS: Students experience more positive health consequences related to sexting than negative. Positive conseq...