Beyond sexual abuse: the impact of other maltreatment experiences on sexualized behaviors.
This study sought to broaden research findings linking maltreatment to sexualized behaviors by investigating whether maltreatment experiences other than sexual abuse predict such behaviors. The sample included 690 children without reported sexual abuse histories who are participants in the LONGSCAN Consortium, a prospective multisite investigation of childhood maltreatment. Child Protective Service reports before age 8 years and caregiver reports on the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory-II at age 8 years were used to examine the relationship between maltreatment timing and type, and sexualized behaviors. Logistic regression analyses suggested that early (< 4) and late (4-8) reports of physical abuse were associated with more sexualized behaviors (odds ratios = 1.9-2.6). The pattern differed by gender, with physical abuse predicting sexual intrusiveness and displaying private parts in boys, and boundary problems in girls. Findings suggest that maltreatment other than sexual abuse, and the developmental periods in which it occurs, may be linked to the development of sexualized behaviors.
Merrick
Melissa T
MT
SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA 92120-4913, USA. melissamerrick@gmail.com
Litrownik
Alan J
AJ
Everson
Mark D
MD
Cox
Christine E
CE
D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior