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Cited by 27Stalking, Cyberstalking, and HarassmentGender, Feminism, and MediaSexual Assault and Victimization Studies

Prevalence and risk factors for nonconsensual distribution of intimate images among Italian young adults: Implications for prevention and intervention

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Brighi, Antonella, Amadori, Alberto, Summerer, Kolis, Menin, Damiano·2023·International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology
DOI 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100414PMC PMC10523183
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Abstract

Nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NCII), also known as revenge porn, has become a significant social issue in recent years, with severe consequences for victims. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of NCII victimization among young Italian adults, focusing on the role of sexting, intimate partner violence (IPV), impulsivity, and self-disclosure. An online survey was conducted among a sample of 2047 Italian young adults (F=29.3%, M=53.4%, Not Indicated=16.9%; mean age = 24.4, SD = 4.4) using a convenience sample recruited through internet. The survey included questions on NCII victimization, sexting behavior, sextortion, and IPV. Multiple regression analyses were used to explore the predictors of NCII victimization. The findings showed that 33.9% of respondents reported engaging in sexting behavior, with females being three times more likely to engage in sexting than males. Furthermore, 3.3% of participants reported being victims of NCII, with over one-third of victims experiencing three or more types of NCII victimization. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sexting and IPV were significant predictors of NCII victimization, and the interaction effect between self-disclosure and impulsivity was also a significant predictor. This study contributes to the understanding of NCII in Italy and highlights the need for interventions and prevention strategies to address both NCII and IPV, given their strong continuity. The results also suggest that the relationship between self-disclosure, impulsivity, IPV, and NCII victimization is complex and requires further investigation, suggesting a scenario where the climate of violence may impair the victim's decision-making.

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  • Compared to minors, adult sextortion more frequently involves financial extortion and unfolds within broader life contexts.

    “Compared to minors, adult sextortion more frequently involves financial extortion and unfolds within broader life contexts (Brighi et al., 2023; O’Malley & Smith, 2025; Ray & Henry, 2025; Tzani et al., 2024; Wolak et al., 2018).”

    From Constructing Offender Typologies From Judicial Data: A Clustering Analysis of Sextortion Cases (2026) · cites this paper as Brighi et al., 2023

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Brighi, A., Amadori, A., Summerer, K., & Menin, D.
Affiliations
  • Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (IT)
  • University of Ferrara (IT)
Corresponding author
Amadori, Alberto
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-10
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
100414
ISSN
1697-2600 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100414
PMC
PMC10523183
OpenAlex
W4386916579
Cited by
27
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 3
FWCI
11.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Open Research (University of Surrey) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (BW2080)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Feminism, and Media
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Keywords
revenge porn, sexting, intimate partner violence, sextortion, impulsivity, self-disclosure, young adults, prevalence, risk factors, gender differences, Italian young adults, prevention and intervention

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