An observational study of Internet behaviours for adolescent females following sexual abuse

Jennie G. Noll (), Ann-Christin Haag (), Chad E. Shenk, Michelle F. Wright, Jaclyn E. Barnes, Mojtaba Kohram, Matteo Malgaroli, David J. Foley, Michal Kouril and George A. Bonanno
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Jennie G. Noll: The Pennsylvania State University
Ann-Christin Haag: Columbia University Teachers College
Chad E. Shenk: The Pennsylvania State University
Michelle F. Wright: The Pennsylvania State University
Jaclyn E. Barnes: University of Cincinnati
Mojtaba Kohram: University of Cincinnati
Matteo Malgaroli: New York University, Grossman School of Medicine
David J. Foley: The Pennsylvania State University
Michal Kouril: University of Cincinnati
George A. Bonanno: Columbia University Teachers College

Nature Human Behaviour, 2022, vol. 6, issue 1, 74-87

Abstract: Abstract Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with revictimization and sexual risk-taking behaviours. The Internet has increased the opportunities for teens to access sexually explicit imagery and has provided new avenues for victimization and exploitation. Online URL activity and offline psychosocial factors were assessed for 460 females aged 12–16 (CSA = 156; comparisons = 304) with sexual behaviours and Internet-initiated victimization assessed 2 years later. Females who experienced CSA did not use more pornography than comparisons but were at increased odds of being cyberbullied (odds ratio = 2.84, 95% confidence interval = 1.67–4.81). These females were also more likely to be represented in a high-risk latent profile characterized by heightened URL activity coupled with problematic psychosocial factors, which showed increased odds of being cyberbullied, receiving online sexual solicitations and heightened sexual activity. While Internet activity alone may not confer risk, results indicate a subset of teens who have experienced CSA for whom both online and offline factors contribute to problematic outcomes.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01187-5

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