Kimberly Mitchell, Research Associate Professor

Kimberly Mitchell

Research Professor
Phone: (603) 862-4533
Office: 10 West Edge Drive, Room 106, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
Curriculum Vitae

Kimberly Mitchell, Ph.D. is a Research Professor of Psychology at the University of New Hampshire and a Senior Research Scientist at the Crimes against Children Research Center.  Her areas of research include youth exposure to violence generally, with specific emphasis in the areas of technology-facilitated crimes against children, child sex trafficking, exposure to suicide, bias and hate crimes, and drug endangered children.  Her work also focuses on these issues among populations with health disparities, particularly sexual and gender minority youth. Findings from Dr. Mitchell’s research has been at the forefront of building a knowledge base around the epidemiology and risk factors for technology-related problems and other critical adolescent health concerns, including sex trafficking and exposure to suicide. Her research has provided the foundation for the development of public policy, media campaigns, police training, and prevention programs in the area of child safety and well-being. She is the author of over 180 peer-reviewed papers in her field, including publications in the Journal of the American Medical Association, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, American Psychologist, Pediatrics, Journal of Adolescent Health, Child Abuse & Neglect, and Child Maltreatment.  

Courses Taught

  • JUST 602: Research Internship

Education

  • Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of Rhode Island
  • M.A., Psychology, Rhode Island College
  • B.A., Psychology, Rhode Island College

Research Interests

  • Adolescent Health
  • Adolescent Sexual Behavior
  • At Risk/High Risk Populations (Health)
  • Child Abuse/Neglect
  • Child/Maternal Health
  • Cyberbullying
  • Firearms/Guns
  • Hate/Hate Crime/Hate Speech
  • Opiates / Opioids
  • Resilience
  • Suicide
  • Trauma
  • Violence Prevention

Selected Publications

  • Mitchell, K. J., Gewirtz-Meydan, A., Jones, L. M., & Turner, H. A. (2025). Image-based sexual abuse profiles: Integrating mental health, adversities, and victimization to explore social contexts in a diverse group of young adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 171, 108717. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2025.108717

  • Mitchell, K. J., Banyard, V., Ybarra, M. L., Jones, L. M., Colburn, D., Cerel, J., & Dunsiger, S. (2025). Understanding Contagion of Suicidal Ideation: The Importance of Taking Into Account Social and Structural Determinants of Health.. Mental Health Sci, 3(3). doi:10.1002/mhs2.70029

  • Mitchell, K. J., Banyard, V., & Colburn, D. (2025). The Contribution of Social and Structural Determinants of Health Deficits to Mental and Behavioral Health Among a Diverse Group of Young People.. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 22(7). doi:10.3390/ijerph22071013

  • Mitchell, K. J., Gewirtz-Meydan, A., O'Brien, J. E., & Ein-Dor, T. (2025). Exposure to child sexual abuse materials among law enforcement investigative personnel: Exploring trauma and resilience profiles.. Psychol Trauma, 17(Suppl 1), S94-S104. doi:10.1037/tra0001804

  • Gewirtz-Meydan, A., Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., Jones, L. M., Colburn, D. A., & Mitchell, K. J. (2025). Measuring Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA): Psychometric Validation and Analysis of the IBSA Scale.. Child Maltreat, 10775595251338188. doi:10.1177/10775595251338188

  • Mitchell, K. J., Finkelhor, D., Jones, L. M., & Wolak, J. (2012). Prevalence and Characteristics of Youth Sexting: A National Study. PEDIATRICS, 129(1), 13-20. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-1730

  • Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. J., & Ybarra, M. L. (2008). Online "Predators" and their victims - Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST, 63(2), 111-128. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.63.2.111

  • Ybarra, M. L., Mitchell, K. J., Wolak, J., & Finkelhor, D. (2006). Examining characteristics and associated distress related to Internet harassment: Findings from the Second Youth Internet Safety Survey. PEDIATRICS, 118(4), E1169-E1177. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0815

  • Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2004). Online aggressor/targets, aggressors, and targets: a comparison of associated youth characteristics.. J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 45(7), 1308-1316. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00328.x

  • Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2004). Youth engaging in online harassment: associations with caregiver-child relationships, Internet use, and personal characteristics.. J Adolesc, 27(3), 319-336. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.03.007

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  • Most Cited Publications