One Group or Many? Identifying Distinct Profiles of Adolescents Involved in Image-Based Sexual Abuse

Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA) represents a significant and growing public health concern, yet individuals affected by IBSA exhibit diverse experiences of risk, victimization, and resilience. This study aimed to identify distinct profiles among individuals exposed to IBSA, childhood victimization and adversity, online risk behavior, and delinquency. Using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), we analyzed data from 2,630 young adults (ages 18-28) recruited through an online survey, oversampling sexual and gender minorities and individuals with IBSA experiences prior to the age of 18. Seven distinct profiles emerged, reflecting varying levels of risk engagement. The largest group <i>Minimal IBSA Exposure</i> (48.58%) reported minimal IBSA exposure and overall low-risk engagement. The <i>Severe Adversity with Online and Offline Exposure</i> (3.02%), in contrast, exhibited the highest levels of IBSA experiences, childhood victimization, adversity, and delinquency, as well as elevated psychological distress and suicidal ideation. The <i>Image Sharing and IBSA Experience - Online Only</i> (7.69%) engaged in online image-sharing behaviors but avoided face-to-face risky encounters and had relatively high levels of victimization and history of adversity. The <i>Active Image Sharing with IBSA Exposure</i> (9.56%) displayed higher IBSA involvement alongside greater image sharing. The <i>Low-Risk Engagement with Early Adversity</i> (14.22%) group, despite significant early-life victimization, exhibited low engagement in risky online behaviors, suggesting potential protective mechanisms. <i>The Offline Interaction Group</i> (5.67%) frequently met online acquaintances in person, demonstrating risk-taking in offline contexts rather than IBSA. Lastly, the <i>Low-Risk Porn Viewers</i> (11.07%) engaged in high pornography use but had lower levels of IBSA victimization. These findings highlight the heterogeneity of IBSA experiences, emphasizing that risk is not uniform across affected individuals.