The child sexual behavior inventory: Reliability and validity in a Dutch normative and clinical sample

The Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) is one of the few instruments available to assess sexual behavior in children. Because of cross-cultural differences in the definition of normal and atypical sexual behaviors, the CSBI is not generalizable to other countries.

The current study examined psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the CSBI.

The study represents 3206 children from a normative sample, and 932 children from clinical samples.

Parents ratings on the CSBI, and questionnaires for psychosocial problems were obtained to assess psychometric properties.

Results showed that Dutch parents interpret more CSBI items as developmentally appropriate than USA parents. Reliability coefficients indicated internal consistency (α = .39-.82), test-retest (r = .86, p < .000) and interrater reliability (Cohen's d =0.47, p >.05). Positive correlations between the CSBI total scale and the subscales demonstrated content validity (r = .32-.96, p < .01). Differences between normative and clinical samples on the CSBI total (ηp² = .01-.65, p < .000), DRSB (ηp² = .00-.03, p = .00-.38) and SASI scales (ηp² =.00-.18, p < .01) indicated construct validity. Within the clinical samples, highest associations were found between the CSBI score and convergent measures (r = .64, p < .000). Lowest associations were found between the CSBI scores and divergent measures r = .14-.54, p = n.s.-<.000.

Cross-cultural differences in the perception of developmental appropriate sexual behavior underscore the importance of country-specific normative data. Good psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the CSBI were supported by this study.