title: Externalizing problems and problematic sexual behaviors: same etiology?
abstract: The study sought to determine whether maltreatment subtypes, family sexuality, and personal characteristics predicted and distinguished child problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) and externalizing problems (EP). Participants were families of 188 children, 6-11 years old, referred by child welfare services in four Quebec districts. Caregivers completed interviews and questionnaires. Results suggested that family environment and maltreatment subtypes had partially different impacts on PSB and EP. When EP and gender were controlled, younger children in a sexualized family environment and those verbally victimized were more likely to exhibit PSB. When PSB and gender were controlled, verbal abuse and neglect emerged as predictors of EP. Potential implications for child PSB research and interventions are discussed.
authors: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada. mirelevesque@gmail.com
authors: Mireille
authors: M
authors: Lévesque
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Bigras
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Pauzé
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002669:Child Welfare; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011792:Quebec; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires