Associations between receiving non-consensual image and video sexts and average sleep duration among adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Background Sexting is the sending and receiving of nude or partially nude images or videos. Despite it being a part of contemporary relationships, it can have adverse effects. This is particularly the case when receiving non-consensual sexts. To date, there remains a gap in the literature on whether receiving non-consensual sexts is associated with poor sleep. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between receiving non-consensual sexts and average sleep duration. Methods Data from Wave 2 (2022) of the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviours (N = 906) were analysed. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between receiving non-consensual sexts (both image and video) in the past 12 months and average sleep duration (≤5 h, 6 h, 7 h, 8 h, and ≥9 h) in the past 2 weeks. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results Girls and women who received non-consensual image and video sexts, compared to those who did not, were more likely to report ≤5 h of average sleep in the past 2 weeks, relative to 8 h of average sleep. There were no significant findings among boys and men. Conclusion Findings underscore that receiving non-consensual image and video sexts may negatively impact sleep among girls and women, which may be contextualised by trauma responses experienced because of gender-based sexual violence. Healthcare and mental health professionals should be made aware of this association to provide effective care to girls and women.