Child Maltreatment and Trauma Symptoms Role in the Development of Intrusive Sexual Behaviors Among Children

Given the high rate of sexual victimization committed by youth, it is critical to identify the etiological pathways of intrusive sexual behavior (ISB) to prevent future acts. ISBs are sexual behaviors that are aggressive, forceful, or otherwise coercive. Previous research has suggested that child maltreatment experiences are key environmental risk factors for ISB. The specific mechanism requires further study, including the potential pathway of subsequent posttraumatic symptom clusters (PTSS) sequela and ISB. This paper investigated maltreatment type and PTSS as risk factors in the development of ISBs. Caregivers of 106 children aged 3-12 who were referred to a specialty outpatient clinic for problematic sexual behaviors completed measures of child trauma, PTSS (e.g. reexperiencing, hyperarousal), and PSB frequencies, including ISBs. Results demonstrated a significant association between traumatic events and PTSS. A direct effect between CPA and ISB was found (ß = 1.22, t = 2.54, p = .04), as well as a significant indirect effect of CPA through hyperarousal symptoms (ß = 0.26, CI = 0.015-0.634) to ISB. CSA did not exert a direct effect on ISB or through any PTSS symptoms. Lastly, no direct effect of reexperiencing or hyperarousal on ISB was found. These results are discussed through clinical implications and future research for the prevention of future sexual victimization among children. The pattern of results is consistent with etiological research on disruptive behaviors overall, supporting future longitudinal research examining environmental, developmental, and neurological risk and protective factors.