RESUMO
Female adolescents are particularly at risk of body image concerns. These individuals tend to make greater use of Social Networks and this could lead adolescents into behaviors that increase the risk of online sexual victimization (OSV). This cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the relation between body image concerns and OSV in a sample of female adolescents (n = 229) and the mediating role of three types of risky online behaviors in this link. Body image concerns predict OSV both directly and indirectly. Two of the three risky online behaviors proved to be mediators of the indirect link, namely: indiscriminate expansion of online network of contacts; and willingness to have relationships with strangers met online. Surprisingly, the third behavior, Sexting and Exhibitionism, was not shown to be a mediating factor between body image concerns and OSV. From our results emerges that adolescent girls with a negative body perception have a higher risk of OSV, and the relation between the two variables can be mediated by some risky online behaviors. It is likely that female adolescents use SNs more and adopt risky online behaviors in order to receive gratification and reassurance about their negative body image.
RESUMO
Facebook Addiction (FA) is a problem that concerns minors all over the world. The attachment bond with peers and parents has been proven to be a risk factor for the onset of FA. However, the family and peer group can have a different importance depending on the developmental period of the minor. This study examined the influence of peer and parental attachment on the symptoms of FA in early adolescents and adolescents to verify whether attachment to peers and parents predicts FA symptoms in both categories respectively. The sample was composed of 598 participants (142 early adolescents) between the ages of 11 and 17â¯years (M ageâ¯=â¯14.82, SDâ¯=â¯1.52) recruited in the school setting. Multivariate multiple regressions were performed. For early adolescents the relationships with their parents influenced the levels of FA the most (such as withdrawal, conflict, and relapse), whereas peer relationships (such as, peer alienation) were the most relevant for adolescents. Our study provides support to the role of attachment to peers and parents as a risk factor for symptoms of FA. In line with developmental theories, parents and peers acquire a different weight in predicting the relationship between attachment and FA for early adolescents and adolescents respectively. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.