Exploring the impact of alcohol and marijuana use on commercial sexual exploitation among male youth using parallel-process latent growth curve modeling

Abstract

Few studies have explored the longitudinal relationship between commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) and the use of specific types of substances by male youth. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the links between CSE and substance use in male youth, the current study explored this connection using longitudinal data collected from a sample of 98 male serious youthful offenders with reported incidents of CSE/prostitution. Study findings indicated that alcohol use and marijuana use, rather than the use of more serious types of drugs, were concurrently linked to involvement in CSE/prostitution. Using parallel-process latent growth modeling, associations between alcohol and marijuana use were observed, with alcohol use significantly impacting chronic and persistent CSE/prostitution. The findings highlight the need for CSE intervention programs designed for male youth to include screening and treatment for marijuana – and especially alcohol – use.

Keywords::

• commercial sexual exploitation
• sex trafficking
• male youth
• substance use

Notes

^1. The prevalence of CSE/prostitution among female youth in the Pathways sample is similar to that of males. Specifically, 8.7% (n = 16) of female youth reported CSE/prostitution or had an official arrest record for prostitution. There was not a significant difference in the prevalence of CSE/prostitution across gender (χ²(2) = 0.20, NS).

^2. Comparative analysis of the missing cases with the overall sample on several key variables (e.g., race/ethnicity, impulse control, alcohol use, marijuana use) was completed. Significant differences were not found between those with and without missing data except during wave seven only, with missing cases reporting less frequent marijuana use (M = 2.47, SD = 2.80) than other youth in the sample (M = 4.94, SD = 3.62).

^3. Analyses were completed comparing those who reported initial CSE/prostitution when they were minors and those with initial CSE/prostitution when they were 18 years old or older on several key variables (e.g., race/ethnicity, impulse control, number of CSE occurrences, persistent CSE). No significant differences were found between youth with adult or adolescent onset of CSE/prostitution.

^4. Using data only from youth with CSE/prostitution initiated during adolescence (n = 60), the LGM of alcohol use, the LGM of marijuana use, and the parallel process LGM without and with covariates produced similar results as those reported in the text. Specifically, significant covariance was found between youth level of alcohol use and youth level of marijuana use (estimate = 2.39, SE = 0.55; p < 0.001) as well as between youth rate of change in alcohol use and youth rate of change in marijuana use (estimate = 0.08, SE = 0.03; p < 0.05). Also, chronic CSE/prostitution was significantly affected by the rate of change in youth alcohol use (estimate = 2.15, SE = 0.96; p < 0.05).

Additional information

Funding

The project described was supported by funds from the following: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention [2007-MU-FX-0002], National Institute of Justice [2008-IJ-CX-0023], John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, William Penn Foundation, Center for Disease Control, National Institute on Drug Abuse [R01DA019697], Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and the Arizona Governor's Justice Commission. We are grateful for their support. The content of this article, however, is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of these agencies.

Notes on contributors

Joan A. Reid

Joan A. Reid is an Assistant Professor in Criminology at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Her research concerns include human trafficking, sexual violence, and recovery of crime victims. Her recent research has appeared in Crime & Delinquency, Child Maltreatment, and Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment.

Alex R. Piquero

Alex R. Piquero is Ashbel Smith Professor of Criminology at the University of Texas at Dallas, Adjunct Professor Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice, and Governance, Griffith University Australia, Faculty Affiliate, Center for Violence and Injury Prevention George Warren Brown School of Social Work Washington University in St. Louis, and from 2008 to 2013 he was Co-Editor, Journal of Quantitative Criminology. His research interests include criminal careers, criminological theory, and quantitative research methods. He has received several research, teaching, and service awards, including a 2014 University of Texas System Board of Regents Outstanding Teaching Award. Professor Piquero is Fellow of both the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

Christopher J. Sullivan

Christopher J. Sullivan is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. His research interests include developmental, life-course criminology; juvenile delinquency and prevention policy; and research methodology and analytic methods. His recent work has appeared in Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and Criminal Justice and Behavior.