Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Computers in Human Behavior journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/comphumbeh Does body dissatisfaction influence sexting behaviors in daily life? Dominika Howard a,* , Bianca Klettke a,b , Mathew Ling a , Isabel Krug c , Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz a,b a School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia b Center for Social and Early Emotional Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia c Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Body image Sexting Body dissatisfaction Ecological momentary assessment ABSTRACT Background: The current study explores the effect of body dissatisfaction (both stable, trait-level and specific, state-based instances in daily life) on sexting behaviors, and the impact of sending and receiving sexts on body dissatisfaction levels in daily life. Method: One hundred and forty-seven women aged 18–42 years completed baseline measures of body dis- satisfaction and sexting (i.e., trait-level), and took part in a 7-day experience sampling period measuring sexting behaviors and body dissatisfaction 10 times daily (state-level data). Results: No relationship was found between trait body dissatisfaction and general tendency to send sexts. However, participants were less likely to sext in general or as a result of pressure when they experienced heightened states of body dissatisfaction. When participants sent or received sexts, they experienced a mo- mentary decrease in body dissatisfaction states. Conclusion: Affective factors associated with sexting behaviors may prove useful for understanding what per- petuates and prevents sexting. Sexting constitutes a widespread form of digital, sexual commu- nication that has increased in prevalence in tandem with the pro- liferation and accessibility of mobile phone technology (Gordon- Messer, Bauermeister, Grodzinski, & Zimmerman, 2013; Lenhart, 2009). Previous studies have predominantly focused on the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes of sexting behaviors (Klettke, Hallford, & Mellor, 2014; Kosenko, Luurs, & Binder, 2017; Madigan, Ly, Rash, Van Ouytsel, & Temple, 2018; Walker & Sleath, 2017). Yet, little research has explored how subjective levels of body satisfaction may contribute to this behavior. Given sexts constitute visual representations of sen- ders' nude bodies, it is possible that they invite considerations of one's physical appearance. These may vary from positive evaluations and improved body image to more negative appraisals, poorer body image, and potentially self-prohibition of sexting behaviors. The current study explores this link in greater detail in the context of everyday life ex- periences. 1. Sexting behavior Sexting refers to the act of sending, receiving, or forwarding sexu- ally suggestive materials – photos or text messages – via mobile phones (Diliberto & Mattey, 2009). Research has shown that men and women engage in sexting to a similar extent, and that the behavior is most common among young adults, with prevalence rates estimated to be above 50% for both sending and receiving sexts (Klettke et al., 2014). In addition, sexting can range from being a consensual behavior to being a non-consensual one. The latter has been noted to be similar in nature to intimate partner violence (Klettke, Hallford, Clancy, Mellor, & Toumbourou, 2019), especially when individuals resort to pressure or manipulation to obtain nude images within the context of a romantic relationship. Previous studies have revealed that up to one-third of respondents had experienced sexting coercion from their current or recent romantic partners, and some consented to sending sexts even though they did not want to (Drouin, Ross, & Tobin, 2015; Ross, Drouin, & Coupe, 2016). Body dissatisfaction has been linked to lower sexual self-efficacy (Blashill & Safren, 2015) broadly defined as self- perceived ability to take control of one's sexual behavior (Rosenthal, Moore, & Flynn, 1991). Therefore, it may be the case that lower body satisfaction leads to greater susceptibility to send sexts under pressure or coercion. On the other hand, a positive relationship may exist be- tween body appreciation, voluntary sexting, and other variables such as sexual functioning. In a study by Drouin, Coupe, and Temple (2017), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.07.033 Received 13 April 2019; Received in revised form 18 July 2019; Accepted 28 July 2019 * Corresponding author. 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia. E-mail address: dhowar@deakin.edu.au (D. Howard). Computers in Human Behavior 101 (2019) 320–326 Available online 29 July 2019 0747-5632/ © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. T