Commercial sexual exploitation exposure, food insecurity, and help-seeking attitudes in high school youth
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of youth is a form of victimization that is shaped by socioeconomic conditions, yet more information is needed on how these conditions are related to differences in help-seeking attitudes for vulnerable youth. Methods: Self-report survey data were collected from a sample of 169 high school students from Houston, Texas. Cumulative risk analysis examined relationships between CSE exposure, financial insecurity, food insecurity, and help-seeking confidence and likelihood. Results: Financial instability was associated with greater likelihood of CSE exposure, with food insecurity emerging as a particularly strong correlate. Both CSE exposure and food insecurity were linked to lower confidence in seeking help and reduced likelihood of seeking assistance if confronted with a request to trade sex for money or something of value. These associations were driven primarily by a lower reported likelihood of seeking help from a parent or trusted adult. Discussion: Findings highlight the intersection of structural vulnerability and CSE risk among adolescents and suggest that youth experiencing both food insecurity and CSE exposure may face heightened barriers to help-seeking. Prevention and intervention efforts should ensure that youth are aware of and connected to trusted extra-familial sources of support within their schools and communities.
Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry
Language: English
Topic: Sex work and related issues
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7223148611