Are stereotypes and personal values associated with sexting behaviors? Differences between Northern and Southern Italian adolescents

Literature evidence highlighted correlations between sexting and gender stereotypes. However, to date, there are no studies investigating the association between sexting and personal values. The present study aimed at exploring differences in sexting between Northern and Southern Italian adolescents. Participants were 260 adolescents (MAge = 17.74) from Lombardy (51.2%) and Sicily (48.8%), who completed a questionnaire investigating: sexting, ambivalence toward men, ambivalent sexisms and basic personal values. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to investigate provenience differences, showing that sexting is more common among Northern adolescents. Bivariate correlations were conducted to examine the associations between the investigated variables. No significant correlations emerged in the Northern sample. Conversely, sexting behavior, openness to change (r= .263 p=.003) and benevolence toward men (r= -.188 p=.034) were correlated in the Southern sample. Finally, linear multiple regression showed that openness to change (β= .267 p=.002) and benevolence toward men (β= -.193 p=.025) explain 11% of the variance of the dependent variable “send sext” in Southern Italy (F= 7.392 p=.001). This exploratory study suggests that values and stereotypes, in terms of a higher tendency to embrace change and pursue new ideas and a minor positive attitude toward men, are more associated to sexting in Southern Italy.