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Adolescents’ Sexy Self-Presentation on Instagram: An Investigation of Their Posting Behavior Using a Prototype Willingness Model Perspective

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  • Joris Van Ouytsel

    (Department of Communication Studies, MIOS, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Michel Walrave

    (Department of Communication Studies, MIOS, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Mónica Ojeda

    (Department of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Rosario Del Rey

    (Department of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Koen Ponnet

    (Department of Communication Studies, IMEC-MICT, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

Abstract

Some adolescents use social media platforms, such as Instagram, for sexualized self-presentation, which includes posting images in which someone is scarcely dressed, has a sexy gaze or in which sexual willingness is suggested. These behaviors could be a first step towards sexting. Given that adolescents are highly influenced by peer perceptions, this study uses the prototype willingness model to assess how teenagers’ perceptions of others could influence their posting behaviors. The study was conducted among 2626 students ( n = 1530; 58.4% girls) between the ages of 14 and 21 ( M = 16.14; SD = 1.02) in 10 secondary schools in the Dutch-speaking community in Belgium. The results show that older adolescents and girls were more likely to post images of themselves on Instagram. The models showed that peer norms and willingness and attitudes were significantly associated with posting intention. The perceived norms of adolescents’ parents were not significantly related to the behaviors. There were also significant associations between perceived similarity, prototype favorability and the willingness to engage in sexualized self-presentation on Instagram. The implications for education and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Joris Van Ouytsel & Michel Walrave & Mónica Ojeda & Rosario Del Rey & Koen Ponnet, 2020. "Adolescents’ Sexy Self-Presentation on Instagram: An Investigation of Their Posting Behavior Using a Prototype Willingness Model Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8106-:d:439369
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alana Papageorgiou & Donna Cross & Colleen Fisher, 2022. "Sexualized Images on Social Media and Adolescent Girls’ Mental Health: Qualitative Insights from Parents, School Support Service Staff and Youth Mental Health Service Providers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-18, December.

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