Problematic Sexual Behavior Among Children: A Meta-Analysis of Demographic and Clinical Correlates

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Problematic sexual behavior (PSB) in children (≤12 years) involves developmentally inappropriate or harmful sexual behaviors.
• Existing research inconsistently links PSB to maltreatment and clinical difficulties.
• Understanding correlates of PSB is crucial for targeted interventions and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis summarizing research on correlates of PSB in children.
• To examine demographic factors (gender, age), maltreatment history (childhood sexual abuse [CSA], childhood physical abuse [CPA]), and clinical symptoms (externalizing, internalizing problems) as correlates of PSB.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of 47 independent samples, including data from 15,562 children.
• Analysis of associations between PSB and child demographics, maltreatment history, and comorbid clinical symptoms.

Main Results:

• Younger males were slightly more prone to PSB.
• Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) showed a significant association with PSB (g = .71).
• Childhood physical abuse (CPA), externalizing symptoms (g = .95), and internalizing symptoms (g = .63) were also linked to PSB, with externalizing symptoms demonstrating the strongest correlation.

Conclusions:

• Demographic factors, maltreatment history, and clinical symptoms are associated with PSB in children.
• Externalizing symptoms present the most robust correlate of PSB.
• Limitations include inconsistent assessment of PSB and CSA, necessitating the development of more robust measurement tools and comprehensive correlational studies.