Kids who 'sex' : the problematic sexualised behaviours of children

Abstract

As a clinical population, children with problematic sexualised behaviour(s) (PSB) have specialised assessment and intervention needs. This study examined the PSB of 55 children (36 males and 19 females) within a clinical population aged between 5 and 12 years. Children were identified by child care, protection and treatment services within the Auckland and wider Northland area. Primary caregivers provided demographic information and completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI). All paper and electronic clinical files were reviewed for the child’s maltreatment histories, significant life experiences, PSB (including type and victim characteristics) and non-sexual problem behaviours. Children were categorised into Johnson’s (1991, 2002) PSB typologies of Sexually Reactive, Extensive Behaviours and Molestation behaviours based on their PSB. Overall, it was evident that children with PSB are not a homogeneous group. PSB varied according to severity, use of coercion, force, type of behaviour, and with regard to gender and age. The analysis confirmed previous findings that child sexual abuse (CSA) is not the exclusive pathway to PSB: 53 percent of the sample did not have a known history of CSA. Overall, maltreatment histories did not impact upon the type and nature of PSB. However, histories of intrusive forms of sexual abuse (penetration and oral-genital contact) were related to clinically significant scores on the CSBI and interpersonal PSB rather than self-focused PSB behaviours. Gender differences in the nature of PSB included that females were less likely to digitally penetrate or to perpetrate in an oral manner. Males were more likely to force or coerce their victims. Children who exhibit PSB had high levels of externalising behaviours as measured by the CBCL, specifically aggressive/violent and bullying behaviours. The implications of these findings are that clinicians need to de-emphases the assumed causal relationship between CSA and PSB and take a wide contextual approach to the assessment and intervention with children with PSB. Further research to investigate effective therapeutic interventions for distinct PSB typologies and longitudinal research to establish the course of PSB are recommended.