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Literature Review Volume 17 Issue 1
Sexting amongst adolescents and mental health: literature review of quantitative research
Kristina Sesar, Arta Dodaj, Irena Smoljan, Antonela Marković, Mirjana Mikulić, Ana Kvesić
Received: February 13, 2026 | Published: February 27, 2026
Citation: Sesar K, Dodaj A, Mandić I, et al. Sexting amongst adolescents and mental health: literature review of quantitative research. J Psychol Clin Psychiatry. 2026;17(1):34-43. DOI: 10.15406/jpcpy.2026.17.00850
Abstract
Background: Sexting amongst adolescents is not necessarily a causative factor of a mental health outcome, but difficulties in various aspects of mental health may stem from simply participating in sexting. This study aims to offer a review of quantitative research to date on the subject of the correlation between sexting and the mental health of adolescents. Subject and methods: A systematic search of the scientific databases was conducted. The age of the participants in the research was limited to between 10 and 19 years. For sexting terminology, English terms were used: sexting, texting, sexual communication, sexual violence, and for psychological functioning terms psychological health, mental health, and emotional difficulties.The search language was English; scientific articles using quantitative methodology, meta-analysis and literature review were included.The initial search of the databases resulted in the identification of 164 articles, and 29 articles were analyzed in this study. Results: Our data show that sexting is not only one of the additional forms of exploration of sexuality but may also be linked with emotional difficulties which then additionally affect an adolescent’s decision to participate in sexting. In conclusion, it is important to take individual differences into account in understanding the complex relationship between sexting and psychosocial consequences.Further, experts in the field of mental health must emphasize the normality of consensual sexting, not necessarily to encourage it, but to offer adolescents guidelines for safe sexting, if they decide to take part in it. Conclusion: The findings here are important for the development of programs aimed at reducing the risks related to sexting and its negative outcomes, considering the various forms of sexting and the individual differences between adolescents.
Keywords: sexting, adolescent, mental health, quantitative research, review
©2026 Sesar, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.