Impactos psicológicos e sociais da divulgação de imagens íntimas na adolescência: um estudo de casos múltiplos

Abstract

Sexting is defined as a practice that includes posting, sharing or sending messages or images with a sexual content. It may include the production and sharing of videos and photos of themselves or others in a situation of nudity and/or sexual acts. Beyond the moralistic discourses, it is understood that the practice of sexting in adolescence may be associated with the initiation of sexual life. In addition, it can be a way of exploring sexual possibilities and freedom, starting relationships, strengthening intimate bonds or relating sexually. On the other hand, such a practice can constitute a potent risk factor for the subjects who practice it, especially due to the possibility of unauthorized divulgation of intimate images. Based on these observations, the objective of this project is to analyze the motivations for the practice of sexting and the social and psychological impacts of the divulgation of intimate images released without the consent of female adolescents. The research is of a qualitative nature, in a cross-sectional period, executed by a study of multiple cases. The reports were obtained on videos, in the YouTube platform, of teenagers who, voluntarily, reported their experiences when they had intimate content divulged without consent. In this way, the material shared by 8 female adolescents, who were threatened or effectively victims of the unauthorized dissemination of intimate images were analyzed. The analysis of the reports found was carried out through Content Analysis. Four different categories were created that align with the research objectives: (1) Context of the exposure; (2) Lack of support and psychosocial impacts to victims; (3) Protective factors and mobilization of coping strategies; (4) Resilience and Youth Protagonism. The main findings highlighted, therefore, how the intimate images of the adolescents were leaked and the risk factors that intensified their vulnerability after the unauthorized divulgation. In addition, the research identified people and institutions that constituted the affective-social support network for victims, helping them to overcome adverse events resulting from exposure. Furthermore, the last category analyzed how the attitude of the adolescents of voluntarily posting their videos on a platform with wide access, can be associated with processes of resilience and youth protagonism, insofar as this action was motivated in order that other adolescents do not have similar experiences. The results obtained brought important and still little explored information about the motivation of sexting and the social and psychological consequences that the leak of intimate images caused in the victims' lives. It also contributed to the understanding of risk and protection factors that victims have and opened the way for the elaboration of new research questions.