NCJ Number
145974
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 17 Issue: 6 Dated: (November-December 1993) Pages: 743-754
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Behavior problems of sexually abused children were studied over time.
Abstract
Parents of 93 sexually abused prepubertal children and 80 demographically matched nonabused children completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); 45 percent of the parents of abused children also completed a follow-up CBCL 4 months later. The sexually abused children, compared to their nonabused counterparts, had significantly more behavioral problems including depression, aggression, hyperactivity, and sleep and sexual disorders. Only those who initially had externalizing behavior in the clinical range showed improvement. Behavior problems were associated initially with the children's disclosure of abuse, and at follow-up, with abnormal physical findings. These problems were not related to the characteristics of the abuse or perpetrator, likelihood of abuse, or therapeutic services. The findings suggest that children suspected of having been sexually abused should receive a psychological assessment and careful follow-up. 4 tables and 40 references