217 - Clinical Psychiatric Characteristics and Risk Factors for Adolescents Involved in Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking as Compared to a General Pediatric Population

Poster Number: 217
Publication Number: 217.401

Jane Lindahl, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, PROVIDENCE, RI, United States; Alison Riese, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Amy P. Goldberg, Hasbro Children's Hospital at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States

Background: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) is a form of child abuse and a growing crisis in the US. Currently, victim identification and treatment remain a challenge. Youth involved in DMST have been shown to have increased mental health needs and higher rates of child maltreatment and other adverse childhood experiences. To date, few studies have directly compared a DMST population to a similar pediatric population with no history of DMST. 

Objective: To assess the psychosocial and mental health characteristics of adolescent females involved in DMST, as compared to a primary care control cohort without known or suspected DMST involvement.

Design/Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of two cohorts of adolescents ages 12-17 seen between 2013-2019 at an urban academic children’s hospital in the Northeast. The DMST cohort was a group of adolescent females with a known history of DMST seen at the Child Protection clinic. The comparison cohort was a randomly generated group of females in the same age group seen at the hospital’s Primary Care (PC) clinic during the same time frame. Medical records from 5 years prior to initial Child Protection evaluation (DMST cohort) or latest medical visit (PC cohort) were reviewed and demographic, social, and psychiatric characteristics were recorded. Data is reported in counts and proportions with 95% confidence intervals to compare the cohorts.

Results: 43 patients were included in the DMST cohort and 45 in the PC cohort. There were significant differences in age and ethnicity between the two cohorts. See Table 1 for demographic data. Utilization of psychiatric services, prior suicide attempt, self injury, and anxiety, depression, or PTSD diagnoses were significantly more prevalent in the DMST cohort. Multiple psychosocial risk factors and child maltreatment experiences were also significantly more prevalent in the DMST cohort.  See Table 2 and Figure 1 for proportions of psychosocial and mental health characteristics by cohort. Conclusion(s): Given the ongoing teen mental health crisis, the importance of understanding the characteristics and mental health needs of vulnerable populations such as teens involved in DMST has become even more urgent. This study provides information about the mental health characteristics of youth involved in DMST and how they differ from the general pediatric population. Earlier identification of relevant risk factors for DMST may help with prevention of involvement. Further, while psychiatric and family support resources are limited, it is paramount that adolescents with DMST-involvement be provided intensive support and resources.
Jane Lindahl CVJLindahl_Resume copy.pdf
Table 2. Psychosocial and Mental Health Characteristics* Indicates variables for which the 95% Confidence Intervals have no overlap between the two cohorts, representing a statistically significant difference.