Kimberly Mitchell
Biographic Data
| ID | 100706 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kimberly Mitchell |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kimberly |
| FAMILY NAME | Mitchell |
| SIGNATURE | MITCHELL K |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of New Hampshire |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1974-1637 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 63 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 187 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 63 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 7 |
Characteristics of Youth Who Successfully Complete Intensive Long-Term Services for Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
Intensive service models for youth exposed to commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) are expanding in the United States. However, evaluation research on best practices has not kept pace. While rigorous evaluation of CSE victim service programs is developing, case‐file data from programs can be used to understand more about client trajectories. This paper describes analyses of five years of case data for youth who were referred to a victim services …
Associations Between Gun-Involved Victimization, Poly-Victimization, and Gun Carrying in a U.S. National Sample of Younger Adults
Exposure to violence has been found to influence gun carrying, but few studies have specifically examined associations between gun violence exposure and gun carrying, controlling for other forms of victimization. Additionally, little research has considered the role of poly-victimization. The current study uses data from the Growing Up with Guns study, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of participants recruited through the AmeriS…
Syndemic pathways linking juvenile delinquency, structural vulnerability, and mental health: Implications for exploitation risk
Introduction: Juvenile delinquency, mental health, social determinants of health, and social support are closely intertwined, yet the structural and relational processes linking them remain underexamined. Using a syndemic framework, this study examined whether structural vulnerability and social support were associated with the relationship between juvenile delinquency and depression and anxiety in a nationally representative sample of youth and …
“These victims are some of the most difficult you’re Going to Work With”: Challenges in police work with commercially sexually exploited children
Law enforcement’s response to the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) has evolved over the past decade; however, both survivors and service providers report that law enforcement is often perceived as untrustworthy and unhelpful in CSEC cases. The specific challenges law enforcement face in CSEC cases and their impact on community safety and justice goals remain unclear. This study explores these challenges from the perspectives of l…
Mapping help needs among sexual and gender minority youth at risk for commercial sexual exploitation: A network analysis
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience disproportionate vulnerability to commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), yet little is known about how their diverse help needs and support systems are interconnected.This study used network analysis to map the structure of help-seeking and tangible needs among 612 SGM adolescents and young adults (aged 13-22) in the United States who completed the Adolescent and Young Adult Commercial Sexual Explo…
“I would say almost every single case has some sort of an internet connection”: Law enforcement and service provider insights on technology’s role in the commercial sexual exploitation of children and…
The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a growing and increasingly recognized form of abuse. With much of children’s social activity shifting to the internet, technology is becoming a critical factor in the dynamics of CSEC crimes. This study explores the understanding of technology use in relation to CSEC crimes from the perspectives of law enforcement and service providers. Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducte…
Identifying Subtypes of Image-Based Sexual Abuse and their Distinct Incident Characteristics, Victimization Histories, and Personal Correlates
Image-based sexual abuse is common among adolescents, yet most research treats it as a single, uniform construct, obscuring important variation in how image-based harms occur and who is most vulnerable. This lack of differentiation represents a central gap in the field, limiting theoretical development and hindering understanding of the behavioral and relational dynamics that shape youth image-based sexual abuse. The present study addresses this …
Prevalence of exposure to someone else’s firearm violence, threats, and risky behavior among a national sample of young people in the United States
This article provides prevalence rates for a wide range of types of exposure to someone else’s firearm violence, threats, and risky behavior among youth and young adults across several different demographic and structural characteristics. Data are from the Growing Up with Guns study of 5,311 participants recruited through the AmeriSpeak Panel. Data were collected from September 2023 to January 2024. Eligibility included U.S. residents who were ag…
Cumulative determinants of adolescent health indicators: The effects of social and structural determinants of health and child sexual abuse on overdose and suicide attempt
Background: Research has increasingly focused on the role of social and structural determinants of health (SDoH) in shaping behavioral and mental health-related outcomes, including suicide and substance use disorder. While child sexual abuse (CSA) is a well-established risk factor for these outcomes, less is known about the association with image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and its relationship to suicide and overdose risk. Moreover, limited resear…
Image-based sexual abuse profiles: Integrating mental health, adversities, and victimization to explore social contexts in a diverse group of young adults
Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA) is a widespread phenomenon with profound psychological, social, and relational impacts. Yet, limited research has explored the intersection of IBSA with mental health symptoms, adversities, and poly-victimization, as well as how these experiences vary across socio-demographic factors and social contexts. This study aims to identify distinct latent profiles of IBSA survivors based on victimization experiences, adver…
Variations in Hate Crime Cases by Bias Motivation Type: Findings From the National Hate Crime Investigation Study (NHCIS)
Accurate and detailed information on the nature of hate crimes in the United States has been hindered by limitations in the compiling of hate crime statistics. The National Hate Crime Investigation Study (NHCIS) collected data from a nationally representative sample of law enforcement agencies across the U.S. about the numbers of hate crimes investigated during 2018. Results show differences in a variety of case characteristics across four major …
The Contribution of Social and Structural Determinants of Health Deficits to Mental and Behavioral Health Among a Diverse Group of Young People
A growing knowledge base highlights the importance of accounting for a variety of social and structural determinants of health (SDOH) when understanding mental and behavioral health among adolescents and young adults. The objective of the current study is to examine patterns of self-reported SDOH deficits and characterize participant health indicators and social identity across classes. Data is from a cross-sectional national study of young peopl…
Regional differences in acute hospitalization risk associated with NO2 by cause, season, age, sex, and trend: An ecological time series study in Canada
This study indicates harmful NO 2 effects on acute hospitalizations year-round: circulatory causes (cold season) and respiratory causes (warm season). Future work is warranted to investigate potential causes of observed regional differences using more community-related information such as socioeconomic status, health-care accessibility, and others
They had to change the model to fit the victim, versus the victim having to fit the model: Innovative solutions in community response to commercial sexual exploitation
Human trafficking services for youth with minoritized identities: Application of an access to care framework
“An escape from the isolation”: Youth thoughts about the impact of Covid‐19 on adolescent sexual behavior and alcohol use
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic likely affected adolescent sexual behaviors and alcohol use, although how is not well understood. METHOD: Youth were sampled from the national, online longitudinal Growing up with Media study. They responded via text messaging to open-ended questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the sexual behavior and alcohol use of adolescents. Conventional content analysis summarized open-ended responses…
Emotional Wellbeing and Cognitive Appraisals Among Law Enforcement Exposed to Child Sexually Explicit Materials
The cognitive appraisals of police investigators and forensic examiners working with child sexually explicit material (CSEM) may impact the level of distress they experience and its impact on holistic wellbeing. In the current study, we use an exploratory sequential mixed method design integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Survey data were collected from 500 police investigators, forensic examiners, and others connected with the…
Medical First Responders and Child Sexual Exploitation: Needs, Efforts, and Next Steps
Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation often have medical needs requiring emergency care. Medical first responders (MFRs), such as ambulatory care providers and firefighters, have enormous potential to both identify these victims and link them to a host of services. Unfortunately, little is known about the MFRs’ awareness of CSEC, or the range of strategies and procedures MFRs’ use with CSEC victims. The purpose of this study was to asse…
Persisting concerns about image exposure among survivors of image-based sexual exploitation and abuse in childhood
The study highlights that some survivors of sexual image exploitation and abuse have persistent concerns about further image exposure to other audiences. Survivors with lower levels of persistent concern are typically those who do not believe the images are available online. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Exposure to child sexual abuse materials among law enforcement investigative personnel: Exploring trauma and resilience profiles
The study underscores the diversity of experiences among law enforcement professionals conducting CSAM investigations. Resilient profiles highlight the importance of factors like mattering, appreciation, support, and a positive work climate. These findings have implications for wellness training and agency practices to enhance the well-being of investigators dedicated to protecting children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights rese…
Correlates of intimate relationship satisfaction among investigators of child sexual abuse material
Introduction: This study investigates correlates of intimate relationship satisfaction among investigators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Previous research has shown that exposure to CSAM content can negatively impact investigators' emotional wellbeing, but little is known about its association with their intimate relationships. Methods: The study included 500 participants who were police investigators, forensic examiners, and other profe…
Diffusion effects of a sexual violence prevention program leveraging youth–adult partnerships
The purpose of the current study was to examine the diffusion effects of a youth‐led sexual violence prevention program (i.e., Youth Voices in Prevention [Youth VIP]). Specifically, social network analysis was used to measure the extent to which Youth VIP changed behaviors for 1172 middle and high school youth who did not attend program events but were friends with Youth VIP participants and completed the first and final survey (approximately 2 y…
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for youth with a history of exposure to self-directed violence
Findings highlight that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people are compounded by exposure to mental health concerns of people in their network. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Practices and Policies Around Wellness: Insights From the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Network
This article aims to understand what practices and training Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces and affiliated agencies are currently using to help mitigate distress and promote wellbeing among investigators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Data were collected via telephone interviews with Commanders of 54 ICAC Task Forces as well as an online survey of 155 investigators at ICAC-affiliated agencies. Sixty-two percent of resp…
Attachment insecurities and body image self-consciousness among women: The mediating role of pornography use
Latino adolescents’ perceived discrimination in online and offline settings: An examination of cultural risk and protective factors
Guided by a risk and resilience framework, the current study examined the associations between Latino adolescents' (n = 219; Mage = 14.35; SD = 1.75) perceptions of ethnic discrimination in multiple settings (e.g., online, school) and several domains of adjustment (e.g., mental health, academic), and tested whether developmentally salient cultural assets (i.e., ethnic identity) directly promoted youth adjustment or moderated the negative impact o…
The Internet As a Safety Net: Findings From a Series of Online Focus Groups With LGB and Non-LGB Young People in the United States
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth face special challenges during adolescence including stigma, alienation, and abuse which have been linked with social costs and negative health outcomes. The Internet has been shown to ameliorate the negative impacts of homophobia by providing access to friendships and support, information, romantic partners, and a gay community. In this qualitative study, internet use of LGB and Non-LGB young people were co…
Defining and measuring youth digital citizenship
There is an increasing interest in improving youth digital citizenship through education. However, the term ‘digital citizenship’ currently covers a broad range of goals. To improve education, the current article argues for a narrower focus on (1) respectful behavior online and (2) online civic engagement. Using this definition, a digital citizenship scale was developed and assessed with a sample of 979 youth, aged 11–17 years, and confirmatory f…
X-rated material and perpetration of sexually aggressive behavior among children and adolescents: Is there a link
Longitudinal linkages between intentional exposure to x-rated material and sexually aggressive behavior were examined among youth 10-15 year olds surveyed nationally in the United States. At Wave 1 in 2006, participants (n = 1,588) were queried about these exposures and outcomes in the preceding 12 months. Wave 2 data (n = 1,206) were collected approximately 12 months after Wave 1 and Wave 3 data (n = 1,159) were collected approximately 24 months…
The Exposure Of Youth To Unwanted Sexual Material On The Internet: A National Survey of Risk, Impact, and Prevention
This national survey of youth, ages 10 to 17, and their caretakers has several implications for the current debate about young people and Internet pornography. Twenty five percent of youth had unwanted exposure to sexual pictures on the Internet in the past year, challenging the prevalent assumption that the problem is primarily about young people motivated to actively seek out pornography. Most youth had no negative reactions to their unwanted e…
Problematic Internet experiences: Primary or secondary presenting problems in persons seeking mental health care
A National Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB), and Non-LGB Youth Sexual Behavior Online and In-Person
New measures to assess the social ecology of youth: A mixed‐methods study
OBJECTIVE: This project used mixed methods to expand the understanding of social ecological constructs important to youth and develop measures to assess these constructs. METHODS: Eight focus groups and 24 cognitive interviews were conducted with adolescents and caregivers. These were followed by a survey completed by 440 youth ages 10-21 (average age: 16.38, standard deviation[SD] = 3.04). RESULTS: Qualitative data revealed social ecological con…
Black Youth Beyond the Digital Divide: Age and Gender Differences in Internet Use, Communication Patterns, and Victimization Experiences
Using a nationally representative diverse sample of 10- to 17-year-old youth, this study explores Black youths' Internet use, communication patterns, behavior, and victimization experiences via Internet and cell phone. Findings yielded a number of differences between Black and non-Black youth, with Black youth using the Internet with more intensity and being more likely to gain access via cell phone. Notable within-group differences emerged, incl…
A role for social media? A community‐based response to guns, gangs, and violence online
Social media represents a relatively novel environment for prevention efforts targeting youth gun and gang violence, and associated trauma. The aim of this study is, therefore, to present findings from a novel intervention designed to complement existing, community‐based violence prevention efforts. In doing so, we focus on the role of adult empathy in the relationships between youth and the adult credible messengers (CMs) who deliver the program…
Human trafficking services for youth with minoritized identities: Application of an access to care framework
Preventing Teen Relationship Abuse and Sexual Assault through Bystander Training: Intervention Outcomes for School Personnel
The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of exposure to Bringing in the Bystander—High School Curriculum ( BITB ‐ HSC ) on school personnel, which included a seven session classroom curriculum for ninth through twelfth graders (student curriculum), a bystander training workshop for school personnel (school personnel workshop), and reading materials (handout). We examined how exposure to these various BITB ‐ HSC intervention comp…
Exposure to Multiple Forms of Bias Victimization on Youth and Young Adults: Relationships with Trauma Symptomatology and Social Support
Escaping or connecting? Characteristics of youth who form close online relationships
We used data from a US national sample of Internet users, ages 10-17 (N=1501), to explore the characteristics of youth who had formed close relationships with people they met on the Internet (n=210). Girls who had high levels of conflict with parents or were highly troubled were more likely than other girls to have close online relationships, as were boys who had low levels of communication with parents or were highly troubled, compared to other …
The Exposure Of Youth To Unwanted Sexual Material On The Internet: A National Survey of Risk, Impact, and Prevention
This national survey of youth, ages 10 to 17, and their caretakers has several implications for the current debate about young people and Internet pornography. Twenty five percent of youth had unwanted exposure to sexual pictures on the Internet in the past year, challenging the prevalent assumption that the problem is primarily about young people motivated to actively seek out pornography. Most youth had no negative reactions to their unwanted e…
Youth engaging in online harassment: Associations with caregiver–child relationships, Internet use, and personal characteristics ☆
To date, research focused on “traditional” (i.e. in‐person) youth bullying behaviour has documented serious psychosocial challenges for those involved. How this literature translates to youth engaging in aggressive behaviours online has yet to be examined. Using the largest US sample of youth Internet users to date, psychosocial characteristics of youth engaging in Internet harassment were examined. Results from the nationally representative surv…
Online aggressor/targets, aggressors, and targets: A comparison of associated youth characteristics
Background: While most youth report positive experiences and activities online, little is known about experiences of Internet victimization and associated correlates of youth, specifically in regards to Internet harassment. Methods: The Youth Internet Safety Survey is a cross‐sectional, nationally representative telephone survey of young regular Internet users in the United States. Interviews were conducted between the fall of 1999 and the spring…
Exposure to Internet Pornography among Children and Adolescents: A National Survey
Estimates suggest that up to 90% or more youth between 12 and 18 years have access to the Internet. Concern has been raised that this increased accessibility may lead to a rise in pornography seeking among children and adolescents, with potentially serious ramifications for child and adolescent sexual development. Using data from the Youth Internet Safety Survey, a nationally representative, cross-sectional telephone survey of 1501 children and a…
Examining Characteristics and Associated Distress Related to Internet Harassment: Findings From the Second Youth Internet Safety Survey
OBJECTIVE. We sought to identify the characteristics of youth who are targets of Internet harassment and characteristics related to reporting distress as a result of the incident. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS. The Second Youth Internet Safety Survey is a national telephone survey of a random sample of 1500 Internet users between the ages of 10 and 17 years conducted between March and June 2005. Participants had used the Internet at least once a month…
The Relative Importance of Online Victimization in Understanding Depression, Delinquency, and Substance Use
This article explores the relationship between online and offline forms of interpersonal victimization, with depressive symptomatology, delinquency, and substance use. In a national sample of 1,501 youth Internet users (ages 10-17 years), 57% reported some form of offline interpersonal victimization (e.g., bullying, sexual abuse), and 23% reported an online interpersonal victimization (i.e., sexual solicitation and harassment) in the past year. N…
Does Online Harassment Constitute Bullying? An Exploration of Online Harassment by Known Peers and Online-Only Contacts
Unwanted and Wanted Exposure to Online Pornography in a National Sample of Youth Internet Users
OBJECTIVE. The goal was to assess the extent of unwanted and wanted exposure to online pornography among youth Internet users and associated risk factors. METHODS. A telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1500 youth Internet users aged 10 to 17 years was conducted between March and June 2005. RESULTS. Forty-two percent of youth Internet users had been exposed to online pornography in the past year. Of those, 66% reported only u…
The Co-occurrence of Internet Harassment and Unwanted Sexual Solicitation Victimization and Perpetration: Associations with Psychosocial Indicators
Defining Child Pornography: Law Enforcement Dilemmas in Investigations of Internet Child Pornography Possession 1
This study examines law enforcement dilemmas in child pornography possession investigations in which no offender was arrested. A mail survey of US law enforcement agencies identified a sample of Internet child pornography possession cases where no arrest was made. Telephone surveys with law enforcement investigators were used to collect case‐specific data and information on dilemmas in these investigations. Law enforcement investigators reported …
Problematic Internet experiences: Primary or secondary presenting problems in persons seeking mental health care
How Risky Are Social Networking Sites? A Comparison of Places Online Where Youth Sexual Solicitation and Harassment Occurs
OBJECTIVE. Recently, public attention has focused on the possibility that social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are being widely used to sexually solicit underage youth, consequently increasing their vulnerability to sexual victimization. Beyond anecdotal accounts, however, whether victimization is more commonly reported in social networking sites is unknown. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS. The Growing up With Media Survey is a national …
Online "predators" and their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment
The publicity about online "predators" who prey on naive children using trickery and violence is largely inaccurate. Internet sex crimes involving adults and juveniles more often fit a model of statutory rape--adult offenders who meet, develop relationships with, and openly seduce underage teenagers--than a model of forcible sexual assault or pedophilic child molesting. This is a serious problem, but one that requires approaches different from th…
Growth and change in undercover online child exploitation investigations, 2000–2006
This paper documents changes in the rates and characteristics of undercover police investigations against child sexual exploiters on the Internet. Telephone interviews were conducted with law enforcement officials about a nationally representative sample of cases ending in arrest for an Internet-related sex crime against a minor in 2000 and 2006. The survey found a 280% increase in arrests of offenders identified in undercover operations between …
X-rated material and perpetration of sexually aggressive behavior among children and adolescents: Is there a link
Longitudinal linkages between intentional exposure to x-rated material and sexually aggressive behavior were examined among youth 10-15 year olds surveyed nationally in the United States. At Wave 1 in 2006, participants (n = 1,588) were queried about these exposures and outcomes in the preceding 12 months. Wave 2 data (n = 1,206) were collected approximately 12 months after Wave 1 and Wave 3 data (n = 1,159) were collected approximately 24 months…
Trends in Youth Internet Victimization: Findings From Three Youth Internet Safety Surveys 2000–2010
Investigators using the Internet to apprehend sex offenders: Findings from the Second National Juvenile Online Victimization Study
This paper discusses the types of undercover investigations conducted on the Internet. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted with police about 544 undercover cases ending in arrest for an Internet-related sex crime against a minor in 2006. The two most common types of undercover investigations involved police posing online as minors (76%) and undercover police investigations of child pornography (20%). Additionally, a few investig…
The Internet As a Safety Net: Findings From a Series of Online Focus Groups With LGB and Non-LGB Young People in the United States
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth face special challenges during adolescence including stigma, alienation, and abuse which have been linked with social costs and negative health outcomes. The Internet has been shown to ameliorate the negative impacts of homophobia by providing access to friendships and support, information, romantic partners, and a gay community. In this qualitative study, internet use of LGB and Non-LGB young people were co…
Close relationships with people met online in a national U.S. sample of adolescents
The purpose of this research was to explore characteristics of youth who reported close relationships with people they met online. We used data from a national telephone survey of youth Internet users in the United States, aged 10 to 17 years old (N=1,560). One in ten adolescents (11%) reported a close relationship with a person met online. Results of a logistic regression indicated that the odds of forming close online relationships were about t…
To tell or not to tell? Youth’s responses to unwanted Internet experiences
This study is one of the first that investigated youth’s response to unwanted Internet experiences, not only for those youth who were bothered or distressed but for all youth who reported the experience. Three types of response were examined: telling someone about the incident and ending the unwanted situation by active or passive coping. Responses to the following unwanted Internet experiences were analysed: Sexual solicitation, online harassmen…
Sexual harassment among adolescents of different sexual orientations and gender identities
“Sexting” and Its Relation to Sexual Activity and Sexual Risk Behavior in a National Survey of Adolescents
Latino adolescents’ perceived discrimination in online and offline settings: An examination of cultural risk and protective factors
Guided by a risk and resilience framework, the current study examined the associations between Latino adolescents' (n = 219; Mage = 14.35; SD = 1.75) perceptions of ethnic discrimination in multiple settings (e.g., online, school) and several domains of adjustment (e.g., mental health, academic), and tested whether developmentally salient cultural assets (i.e., ethnic identity) directly promoted youth adjustment or moderated the negative impact o…
Black Youth Beyond the Digital Divide: Age and Gender Differences in Internet Use, Communication Patterns, and Victimization Experiences
Using a nationally representative diverse sample of 10- to 17-year-old youth, this study explores Black youths' Internet use, communication patterns, behavior, and victimization experiences via Internet and cell phone. Findings yielded a number of differences between Black and non-Black youth, with Black youth using the Internet with more intensity and being more likely to gain access via cell phone. Notable within-group differences emerged, incl…
Psychology (51 works) · Medicine (39 works) · Social Psychology (34 works) · Poison control (27 works) · Clinical Psychology (25 works) · Psychiatry (24 works) · The Internet (24 works) · Developmental psychology (21 works) · Suicide prevention (21 works) · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology (17 works)