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Youth Sexual Exploitation on the Internet: DSM-IV Diagnoses and Gender Differences in Co-occurring Mental Health Issues

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Abstract

This paper explores conventional (non-Internet-related) mental health issues and DSM-IV diagnoses seen among a sample of 512 youth receiving mental health services for an Internet-related problem, with particular attention to victims of online sexual exploitation. Youth victims of online sexual exploitation were more likely to have a post-traumatic stress disorder than youth with other Internet-related problems. Specific attention was given to differences among subgroups of female and male youth victims of online sexual exploitation as compared with same-gender youth with other Internet-related problems. Findings suggest the importance of including Internet use and victimization as part of a standard clinical assessment.

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Acknowledgements

For the purposes of compliance with Section 507 of PL 104-208 (the “Stevens Amendment”), readers are advised that 100% of the funds for this program are derived from federal sources. This project was supported by Grant No. 2001-JN-FX-0009 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The total amount of federal funding involved is $267,738. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, University of New Hampshire, 239 Pettee Hall, Durham, NH, 03824, USA

    Melissa Wells Ph.D., LICSW

  2. Crimes against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 10 West Edge Drive, Suite 106, Durham, NH, 03824, USA

    Kimberly J. Mitchell Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Melissa Wells Ph.D., LICSW
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  2. Kimberly J. Mitchell Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Melissa Wells Ph.D., LICSW.

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Wells, M., Mitchell, K.J. Youth Sexual Exploitation on the Internet: DSM-IV Diagnoses and Gender Differences in Co-occurring Mental Health Issues. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 24, 235–260 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-007-0083-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-007-0083-z

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