More adults are embracing sexting in their relationships, according to a recent study.

Researchers at Drexel University found that 88 percent of adults have sent sexy texts, a 6 percent increase from last year, CBS News reported. Their study also revealed that sexting was associated with relationship satisfaction for all but those who identified their relationship as "very committed."

"We wanted to explore its role in adult relationships," researcher Emily Stasko told Yahoo Health. "Sexting is usually looked at as dangerous, but if it were only bad, it wouldn't be as popular as it is.

For the study, Stasko and her colleagues surveyed 870 participants from the United States between the ages 18 to 82 to assess sexting behaviors, sexting motives, and relationship and sexual satisfaction. Just over half the participants were women.

Sexting, for the purpose of this study, was defined as the sending or receiving of sexually suggestive or explicit content via text message, primarily using a mobile device, said Stasko. Participants were asked if they had ever engaged in such behaviors.

Nearly 75 percent said they sexted in the context of a committed relationship and 43 percent said they sexted as part of a casual relationship. Additionally, the researchers found that greater levels of sexting were associated with greater sexual satisfaction, especially for those in a relationship. Participants who identified as single (26 percent) had significantly lower overall scores for sexual satisfaction.

The survey also asked about attitudes toward sexting and found that people who sexted more saw the behavior as more fun and carefree and had higher beliefs that sexting was expected in their relationships.

"This research indicates that sexting is a prevalent behavior that adults engage in for a variety of reasons," Stasko said. "These findings show a robust relationship between sexting and sexual and relationship satisfaction."

The findings were presented at the presented at the American Psychological Association's 123rd Annual Convention.