Our research team used the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II to explore relationships between demographic factors, domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) status, and several psychosocial dependent variables for children and youth in the child welfare system who affirm that they have been paid for sex within the past 6 months. The sample included a total of 814 children and youth, 38 of whom reported DMST victimization. Results revealed that youth with a history of DMST victimization were more likely than their nonexploited peers to report runaway behavior, demonstrate externalizing behaviors, and test in the clinical range for a substance abuse problem. Research and practice implications are discussed. © 2017, © The Author(s) 2017.

NSCAW Behaviors Domestic minor sex trafficking Mental health Child prostitution Child welfare

Child Abuse, Sexual mental health human wellbeing statistics and numerical data substance abuse Child Protective Services child protection sex trafficking Humans human tissue psychology Adolescent male female dependent variable risk factor Risk Factors Child Welfare prostitution peer group child sexual abuse human trafficking organization and management runaway behavior major clinical study exploratory research Social Environment crime victim Crime Victims Child