Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis
BackgroundLittle is known about whether and to what extent family factors associated with risky sexual behaviors, such as experiencing commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) or having prior sexually transmitted infections (STIs), differ across risk groups of adolescents.MethodsWe conducted secondary a...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1602085/full |
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| author | Sarah M. Godoy Mimi V. Chapman Todd M. Jensen Eraka P. Bath Laura S. Abrams Rachel W. Goode William J. Hall |
| author_facet | Sarah M. Godoy Mimi V. Chapman Todd M. Jensen Eraka P. Bath Laura S. Abrams Rachel W. Goode William J. Hall |
| author_sort | Sarah M. Godoy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundLittle is known about whether and to what extent family factors associated with risky sexual behaviors, such as experiencing commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) or having prior sexually transmitted infections (STIs), differ across risk groups of adolescents.MethodsWe conducted secondary analysis of a nationally representative dataset. Latent class analysis was used to assess heterogeneity in family characteristics and childhood adversity within classes of 1,018 adolescents who engaged in risky sexual behaviors, as evidenced by a self-reported STI and/or involvement in CSE. Participants were on average 15.49 years old (SD = 1.34), 50% female, and 58% people of color.ResultsA five-class solution was deemed optimal. These classes were labeled: abused/neglected/unloved (12%); disengaged dad/connected mom (16%); disengaged mom/minimally present dad (9%); connected and active parents (35%); and hiding in plain sight class (15%). Adolescents who were CSE-impacted represented 49% of the analytic sample and were observed across all five classes in differing yet not insignificant proportions (i.e., ranging from 37% to 60%). Findings illustrate significant variability in family patterns and differences marked by demographic and sexual risk characteristics.FindingsThe presence of CSE-impacted adolescents across latent classes speaks to the hidden nature of this crime and complexities related to CSE risk. Family relationships are often assumed to be protective against CSE. However, these findings point to considerable complexity in understanding how family functioning relates to CSE. Research that allows for longitudinal or retrospective analysis to understand how families were functioning at the time of CSE initiation, would help in delineating what types of families are most protective against CSE for adolescents. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-51fcdde0b798401387e5fcf2c4a94beb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-51fcdde0b798401387e5fcf2c4a94beb2025-08-20T03:34:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-08-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16020851602085Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysisSarah M. Godoy0Mimi V. Chapman1Todd M. Jensen2Eraka P. Bath3Laura S. Abrams4Rachel W. Goode5William J. Hall6Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, United StatesSchool of Social Work, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesSchool of Education, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesDivision of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesDepartment of Social Welfare, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesSchool of Social Work, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesSchool of Social Work, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesBackgroundLittle is known about whether and to what extent family factors associated with risky sexual behaviors, such as experiencing commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) or having prior sexually transmitted infections (STIs), differ across risk groups of adolescents.MethodsWe conducted secondary analysis of a nationally representative dataset. Latent class analysis was used to assess heterogeneity in family characteristics and childhood adversity within classes of 1,018 adolescents who engaged in risky sexual behaviors, as evidenced by a self-reported STI and/or involvement in CSE. Participants were on average 15.49 years old (SD = 1.34), 50% female, and 58% people of color.ResultsA five-class solution was deemed optimal. These classes were labeled: abused/neglected/unloved (12%); disengaged dad/connected mom (16%); disengaged mom/minimally present dad (9%); connected and active parents (35%); and hiding in plain sight class (15%). Adolescents who were CSE-impacted represented 49% of the analytic sample and were observed across all five classes in differing yet not insignificant proportions (i.e., ranging from 37% to 60%). Findings illustrate significant variability in family patterns and differences marked by demographic and sexual risk characteristics.FindingsThe presence of CSE-impacted adolescents across latent classes speaks to the hidden nature of this crime and complexities related to CSE risk. Family relationships are often assumed to be protective against CSE. However, these findings point to considerable complexity in understanding how family functioning relates to CSE. Research that allows for longitudinal or retrospective analysis to understand how families were functioning at the time of CSE initiation, would help in delineating what types of families are most protective against CSE for adolescents.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1602085/fullcommercial sexual exploitationchild sex traffickingsexually transmitted infectionschild wellbeinghuman traffickingadolescent health |
| spellingShingle | Sarah M. Godoy Mimi V. Chapman Todd M. Jensen Eraka P. Bath Laura S. Abrams Rachel W. Goode William J. Hall Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis Frontiers in Public Health commercial sexual exploitation child sex trafficking sexually transmitted infections child wellbeing human trafficking adolescent health |
| title | Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis |
| title_full | Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis |
| title_fullStr | Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis |
| title_short | Heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors: a latent class analysis |
| title_sort | heterogeneity in family dynamics among adolescents engaging in high risk sexual behaviors a latent class analysis |
| topic | commercial sexual exploitation child sex trafficking sexually transmitted infections child wellbeing human trafficking adolescent health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1602085/full |
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