Childhood Sexual Abuse and Common Mental Health Problems: Do Sexual Trade and Exchange Mediate the Relationship?

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is likely to have significant implications for mental health outcomes across the lifespan. This study examines the relationship between CSA, sexual trade and exchange (STE), and common mental health problems (MHPs) among 335 adolescents (aged 12–20) as part of a larger study on adolescents in Norwegian residential youth care (RYC). We investigated the mediating role of STE in the relationship between CSA and MHPs, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, using the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA). We found that STE mediated the relationship between CSA and substance abuse. CSA was directly associated with anxiety and depression, while STE was significantly associated with anxiety, but not with depression. This study highlights the significant role of STE in association with substance abuse among sexually abused adolescents and underscores the need for further research on the long-term impact of CSA and STE on mental health.