Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Stigma, and Trauma: A Detrimental Trio for an Altered Sense of Self.

This study aimed to assess whether, and to what extent, the commercial sexual exploitation of female adolescents placed in residential care predicted different manifestations of an altered sense of self in emerging adulthood while considering the possible confounding effects of child maltreatment and perceived stigmatization. Data were gathered in a broader longitudinal study conducted among a sample of 124 female adolescents placed in residential youth care centers. Commercial sexual exploitation was self-reported during adolescence. Altered sense of self was self-reported in emerging adulthood with the following dependent variables: sense of failure, sense of defensiveness and shame, lack of self-awareness, and other-directedness. Findings suggest that, even after accounting for the significant effects of confounding variables, commercial sexual exploitation increases specific vulnerabilities pertaining to identity development. This creates unique intervention needs among young women. Our study adds to the literature by highlighting the unique influence of commercial sexual exploitation experiences among vulnerable female adolescents on their sense of self in young adulthood. Our results point to the relevance of considering the intersection of trauma and stigmatization when working with and providing services to adolescent females with a history of commercial sexual exploitation.

Consequences associated with the use of psychoactive substances among female adolescents placed in residential care: the role of sexual exploitation.

Sexual exploitation is a major burden among female adolescents placed in residential care centers. Moreover, problematic psychoactive substance use is a concern because of its prevalence and various associated consequences. However, little is known about the consequences resulting specifically from the use of psychoactive substances among sexually exploited female adolescents. This study explored the association between sexual exploitation and the various consequences associated with substance use among adolescent female (15.3-17.1 years old) living in Quebec's residential care centers during 2008-2009. To better understand this association, 83 sexually exploited female adolescents and 66 non-sexually exploited female adolescents responded to self-reported questionnaires. As expected, even controlling for age of onset and frequency of substance use, an ANCOVA showed that sexually exploited female adolescents experience more consequences associated with their use of psychoactive substances (F (4, 148) = 24.79, p <.001, d = 0.83). The associations between sexual exploitation and the consequences of psychoactive substance use were particularly strong for risk-taking (OR = 7.99; p <.001) and delinquency (OR = 4.27; p <.001). Such results highlight the importance of not dissociating the use of psychoactive substances from sexual exploitation when working with female adolescents in rehabilitation centers.

The hopelessness effect: Counsellors' perceptions of their female clients involved in sex work in Canada.

This qualitative study explored how counsellors who work with women currently or formerly involved in sex work perceive these women's future. From May to July 2016, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 counsellors providing psychosocial services in Canadian agencies with recognized mandates to support such women. The interview protocol was based on the Possible Selves Mapping Interview, adapted to explore the counsellors' hopes and fears for these clients. We subjected the interview transcripts to an interpretive descriptive analysis. Our findings centred on three themes: the counsellors' hopes for their clients' future, in light of their personal and social resources; the counsellors' fears about the cumulative devastating effects that their clients' work environment might have on them; and the counsellors' fears that these women would lose hope for the future. This study clearly demonstrates the importance of addressing the safety and well-being of women involved in sex work and of recognizing the impacts of social inequalities and structural barriers on these women's life paths. The implications of these findings for policies and practices are discussed at the end of this paper.

Nightmares and flashbacks: The impact of commercial sexual exploitation of children among female adolescents placed in residential care.

BACKGROUND: Important unresolved questions remain concerning the specific vulnerabilities and intervention needs of female adolescents who experience commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), when compared to other highly vulnerable female adolescents. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess differences in the level of post-traumatic symptoms reported by those who experienced CSEC during adolescence and those who did not. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study used longitudinal data collected from 125 French-speaking female adolescents who were placed in residential centers between the ages 12 and 17 years. METHOD: Post-traumatic symptoms were assessed at Time 1 and Time 6, while CSEC involvement was assessed at Times 1-5. One-way ANOVAs were performed to inspect differences in the level of post-traumatic symptoms at Time 6 between the participants who reported CSEC during adolescence (n = 70; 56.0%) and those with no history of CSEC (n = 55; 44.0%). Hierarchical regressions examined the effects of CESC while controlling for age, immigration status, child sexual abuse, and post-traumatic symptoms reported at Time 1. RESULTS: CSEC during adolescence predicted higher levels of general post-traumatic symptoms, anxious arousal, intrusive experiences, defensive avoidance, and dissociation. CONCLUSIONS: CSEC experiences intensify the existing vulnerabilities to traumatic sequelae that characterize female adolescents who are placed in residential care.

Experiences of (young) women after out of home placement: An examination of personality disorder symptoms through the lens of child maltreatment.

BACKGROUND: Child maltreatment has been associated with the development of various mental health problems, including the development of personality disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between child maltreatment and personality disorder symptoms in 125 women who transitioned out of residential care. METHOD: The Child Trauma Questionnaire was used for the measurement of child maltreatment, and Personality disorder symptoms were measured using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire 4 + . The Psychological Distress Index was used to control for symptoms of distress. RESULTS: A Stepwise regression analysis showed that the majority of the associations were found between self-reported emotional abuse, neglect and personality disorder symptoms. Emotional abuse was significantly related to the Paranoid (ß = .42, p<0.001), Schizoid (ß = .18, p <0.05), Schizotypal (ß = .18, p<0.05), Histrionic (ß = .22, p<0.05), Avoidant (ß = .31, p < .001), Dependent (ß = 0.31, p < .001), Obsessive Compulsive (ß = 0.29, p = .001), Passive Aggressive (ß = 0.23, p<0.01) and the Depressive personality disorder (ß = .38, p < .001). Emotional neglect was significantly associated to the Borderline Personality Disorder (ß = .32, p<0.001) and the Paranoid Personality Disorder (ß =-0.22, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current study underlines the detrimental effects of childhood maltreatment, and in particular the effects of emotional abuse and neglect.

Child maltreatment among boy and girl probationers: does type of maltreatment make a difference in offending behavior and psychosocial problems?

This study examined differences in offending behavior and psychosocial problems between juvenile offenders who have been sexually abused (n=231), physically abused (n=1,568), neglected (n=1,555), exposed to multiple forms of maltreatment (n=1,767), and non-victims (n=8,492). In addition, the moderating effect of gender in the association between type of maltreatment and offending behavior/psychosocial problems was examined. Results showed that violent offenses were more common in victims of physical abuse and victims of multiple forms of abuse than in non-victims, both in boys and girls. In boys, sexual offenses were far more common in victims of sexual abuse than in victims of other or multiple forms of maltreatment or in non-victims. In girls, no group differences were found in sexual offending behavior. For both boys and girls, externalizing problems were relatively common in victims of physical abuse and neglect whereas internalizing problems were relatively common in victims of sexual abuse. In victims of multiple forms of maltreatment, both internalizing and externalizing problems were relatively common. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Girls in residential care: from child maltreatment to trauma-related symptoms in emerging adulthood.

The current study examined the association between child maltreatment and trauma-related symptoms in emerging adulthood--over and above the incidence of such symptoms and conduct problems during adolescence--among a sample of female adolescents in residential care. This study used data from a longitudinal study. The sample was composed of 89 adolescent females who were first interviewed at time of admission in a residential center (M(age)=15.33 years, SD=1.31) and later in young adulthood (M(age)=19.27, SD=1.55). At time 1, trauma-related symptoms were assessed with the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children and conduct problems with a composite measure. At time 2, child maltreatment was assessed retrospectively with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and trauma-related symptoms were reassessed with the Trauma Symptom Inventory-2. Results indicated that child maltreatment, especially emotional abuse and neglect, was related to anxious arousal, depression, and anger in emerging adulthood. This study showed that females from our sample often reported different types of maltreatment during childhood and that these traumatic experiences were significantly associated with poor adult psychological functioning.

[Characteristics of adolescent offenders receiving services in juvenile centers in Québec (Centres jeunesse du Québec, CJQ)]. / Caractéristiques des jeunes contrevenants qui reçoivent des services dans les Centres jeunesse du Québec.

This study aims at establishing a comparative psychological profile of male and female adolescents at the moment of the application of measures in juvenile centers in Québec (centres jeunesse du Québec, CJQ) as well as their family and social characteristics. The study compares 213 adolescents (12-17 years old) receiving services in CJQ in accordance with the juvenile offenders act (Loi sur les jeunes contrevenants), with 213 adolescents from high schools of impoverished neighbourhoods. Results reveal serious problems of adaptation, external disorders and interiorized disorders and a regular substance abuse among many juvenile offenders. These problems are much more frequent in CJQ than within the juvenile population. The situation of these adolescents is worrisome, given that a high prevalence of depression and sexual victimisation is also observed in females. Finally, families whose adolescent receives services in CJQ have less financial, personal and social resources, as well as more difficulty exercising their parental role compared to parents in the general population. In conclusion, recommendations are proposed concerning psychosocial services necessary for these adolescents and their families.

Mental health outcomes of adjudicated males and females: the aftermath of juvenile delinquency and problem behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Empirical evidence indicates that the rates of mental health problems and disorders are relatively high among adjudicated youths, especially females, yet few longitudinal studies have focused on gender differences regarding their mental health outcomes as adults. AIMS: The present study was designed to assess the prevalence rates of self-reported suicide attempts and psychological help-seeking in young adults adjudicated for antisocial behaviours in adolescence. This study also assessed gender differences in the prevalence rates of mental health problems and disorders reported by participants. METHODS: Structured interviews assessing personal and social adaptation were conducted on three occasions with 292 adjudicated male and 113 female youths (mean age 15 years on the first occasion). Data from the third testing wave (mean age 23.51 at T3) provide information on their mental health outcomes in adulthood. RESULTS: Results indicate that in individuals with a history of juvenile delinquency and/or problem behaviour over 10% of the males and 20% of the females reported suicide attempts, and one-fifth and one-third respectively reported psychological consultation. Similar and lower proportions reported psychiatric hospitalization and/or drug addiction programme/therapy at the beginning of adulthood. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The present study suggests that these youths may need more mental health directed interventions in their assessment rehabilitation programmes.