NCJ Number
234005
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 34 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 856-862
Date Published
November 2010
Length
7 pages
Annotation
After determining that sexually abused adolescent boys were more likely to have internalizing behavior (emotional disorders) scores than sexually abused adolescent girls in a national probability sample of children investigated by child protective services, this study tested whether this finding would persist after several other variables were taken into account.
Abstract
The study found that sexually abused boys were more likely than sexually abused girls to have an internalizing behavior problem in the clinical range even after controlling for several variables. The variables considered were exposure to domestic violence, more severe sexual abuse, sexual abuse by a non-relative, and the amount of support provided by caregivers. The findings indicate that both sexually abused boys and girls who experience these variables are more likely to have internalizing problems, but boys are still more likely than girls to have such problems. In order to reverse a pattern of internalizing behavior and prevent the potential long-lasting and adverse effect of sexual abuse and exposure to domestic violence, it is essential that child protective services, legislators, caregivers and other adults ensure that sexually abused boys and girls receive timely, accessible, and high-quality treatment. Researchers must also continue to examine whether sexually abused boys are as likely as girls or more likely than girls to have an internalizing behavior problem in later adolescence. The study sample consisted of 127 girls and 31 boys, ages 11-14. 3 tables and 34 references