Children with Sexual Behavior Problems and Their Caregivers: Demographics, Functioning, and Clinical Patterns

• NCJ Number: 168311
• Journal: Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 267-290
• Author(s): A Gray; A Busconi; P Houchens; W D Pithers
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90-CA-1470
• Sponsoring Agency: Vermont Dept of Social and Rehabilitative Services; National Ctr on Child Abuse and Neglect
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the histories of children who have exhibited sexual behavior problems and the children's caregivers and extended families.

Abstract

This article, the first report from a 5-year demonstration project, reports baseline data concerning the demographics, psychological adjustment and victimization and perpetration histories of 72 6- to 12-year-old children who have engaged in sexual misbehavior; it also reports information regarding the children's caregivers and extended families. The data clearly demonstrate that families of children with sexual behavior problems are marked by an array of characteristics indicative of parental and familial distress, including: (1) violence between parents; (2) sexual victimization and perpetration with the extended family; (3) physical abuse of the children who have exhibited sexual behavior problems; (4) children who have witnessed violence between their parents; (5) parental arrest; (6) denial of responsibility for sexual abuse by members of the extended family; (7) poverty; (8) special educational services; (9) prior therapy for children; and (10) clinical scores on behavioral rating instruments. In addition, several significant differences emerged between younger children (6-9 years) and older children (10-12). Tables, notes, references