Children with sexual behavior problems: Assessment and treatment
Date
2001
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National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
Abstract
The principal objectives of this study were to assess and treat a broad range of children ages 6-12 with sexual behavior problems in order to develop a typology and compare the efficacy of two approaches to treatment through a controlled treatment outcome study. The study was conducted at two sites, the Center on Child Abuse and Neglect at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and the Sexual Assault Center at the University of Washington (UW). Two group treatment approaches that have been found to be effective in reducing children’s behavior problems, cognitive-behavioral and dynamic play therapy, were utilized as treatment interventions for the children with sexual behavior problems. Parents, foster parents, or other adult caregivers were also involved in adult groups that had a cognitive behavioral or dynamic approach. Children with sexual behavior problems (N=201) and their caregivers were assessed for the development of the typology at the OUHSC site (N=158) and the UW site (N=43). A comparison group of children (N=52) ages 6 to 12 with no reported or known sexual behavior problems and their parents/caregivers were recruited to participate in the assessment phase of the project. Treatment was provided at the OUHSC site and consisted of 12 one hour group sessions for children and 12 separate, one hour group sessions for their parents or caregivers. For children who qualified for the treatment phase of the project, attendance at 9 of the 12 treatment sessions was required to be counted as a treatment subject. Of the 147 children who were eligible for treatment, 110 (75%) agreed to participate in the treatment groups and 69 (63%) of the participants completed the required 9 of 12 treatment sessions. Thirty-nine caregivers (56%) completed the follow-up assessment following the 12th treatment session, 25 caregivers (36%) completed the one-year telephone follow-up assessments, and 20 caregivers (29%) completed the two-year telephone follow-up assessment. A typology of children with sexual behavior problems was developed utilizing a logical analysis of the referral behavior. A three group typology was developed: Group I, Sexually Inappropriate Children; Group II, Sexually Intrusive Children; and Group III, Sexually Aggressive Children. Significant differences were found between the groups on factors such as age, gender, history of physical abuse, and levels of inappropriate and aggressive sexual behavior. Both approaches to treatment were found to be effective in reducing children’s inappropriate or aggressive sexual behavior. Neither treatment approach was found to be significantly more effective than the other. At the two year follow-up, approximately equal numbers of children in each group (CBT – 15% vs. DPT – 17%) had an additional report of sexual behavior problems. (Author Summary)
Description
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Keywords
child abuse, child sexual behavior, therapy, research
Citation
Bonner, B. L., Walker, C. E., & Berliner, L. (2001). Children with sexual behavior problems: Assessment and treatment. National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. (Final Report, Grant No. 90-CA-1469), 2001. 53 pp.