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 鶹app 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., Banyard, V., Cerel, J., & Colburn, D. (2026). Understanding the Impact of Exposure to Different Types of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors.. AJPM Focus, 5(1), 100432. doi:

  • Prior, A., O’Brien, J. E., Puchlopek-Adams, A., Finkelhor, D., & Mitchell, K. J. (2026). “They had to change the model to fit the victim, versus the victim having to fit the model”: Innovative solutions in community response to commercial sexual exploitation. Children and Youth Services Review, 180, 108682. doi:

  • Banyard, V., Mitchell, K. J., Jones, L. M., Dunsiger, S., & Ybarra, M. L. (2025). A Model of Bystander Helping to Prevent Suicide: Examining and Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior.. J Interpers Violence, 40(23-24), 5605-5633. doi:

  • Mitchell, K. J., Jones, L. M., Gewirtz-Meydan, A., O'Brien, J., & Colburn, D. (2025). Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Characteristics Linked to Different Reasons Why Youth Decide Not to Disclose.. Prev Sci. doi:

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • Most Cited Publications