Risk Factors Associated with Prostitution Among Adjudicated Adolescent Males : Implications for Social Work

Background and Purpose: Prostitution among youth in the U.S.- included in federal definitions of domestic minor sex trafficking- is a concern for treatment providers and legislators. The prevalence of prostitution among youth in the U.S. is debated; however, there is evidence that male youth may engage in prostitution more frequently than initially believed. Previous research provides evidence that prostitution is more common among youth with a history of delinquency and sexual abuse. Adjudicated male youth have a confirmed history of delinquent behavior, and are more likely than their non-adjudicated peers to have experienced sexual abuse. Male youth adjudicated for sexual crimes are up to 5 times more likely to have experienced sexual abuse than those adjudicated for non-sexual offences. Research has not examined the risk factors of prostitution among adjudicated adolescent males. This study investigated the correlates/predictors of prostitution among adolescent males adjudicated for both sexual and non-sexual crimes.

Methods: Purposive sampling and cross-sectional study design was used. Survey data was collected from 800 adjudicated adolescent males living at seven residential facilities in two states. The average age of the sample was 16.7 years (SD = 1.6), with a range of 11 to 20. Approximately 42.25% (n =338) self-identified as White, 35.00% (n=280) were Black, 5.38% (n=43) were Hispanic, and 10.12% (n=81) identified as Asian, Native American, or other. Approximately 7.25% (n=58) did not report race. The surveys included the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) Substance Proneness Subscale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Sexual Abuse Subscale, the Self-Reported Delinquency Scale (questions on prostitution), and a participant background information questionnaire (e.g., demographic information and family characteristics). Reason for adjudication (e.g., sexual vs. non-sexual offense) was gleaned from administrative records.

Descriptive analyses were performed to explore the prevalence rates of prostitution in this sample. A logistic regression was conducted to predict the effects of substance abuse, family structure, reason for adjudication, and sexual trauma on prostitution.

Results: A total of 10.43% (n = 70) of the sample reported engaging in prostitution. Furthermore, 54.28% (n = 38) of those that had engaged in prostitution stated that they had exchanged sex for money 2 or more times per month. The results of the logistic regression indicated that individuals who were prone to substance use were 3.26% more likely to engage in prostitution (p<.001) than their non-substance using peers. Those with a history of sexual abuse were 11.63% more likely to engage in prostitution than their non-sexually abused peers (p<.001). Reason for adjudication and family structure were not statistically significant predictors of prostitution among this sample.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings suggest prostitution is prevalent among adjudicated adolescent males. Given the prevalence of prostitution among this sample, screening for prostitution and sex trafficking more generally followed by appropriate treatment may be useful for adjudicated male youth. Future research on risk mechanisms of prostitution among adjudicated adolescent males, particularly those with histories of substance use and sexual abuse, is needed. The predictors/correlates of prostitution identified will be discussed in detail, including further implications for research and treatment.