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Professional Perceptions of Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children
Caitlyn N Muniz1, Richard Hartman1, Michelle N Jeanis2
1Department of Criminal Justice, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
Child Maltreatment
|June 23, 2026
Summary
Professional perceptions of problematic sexual behavior (PSB) in youth vary by child
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Criminology
- Social Work
Background:
- Problematic sexual behavior (PSB) in youth poses challenges for child welfare and multidisciplinary systems.
- Understanding professional perceptions of youth PSB is crucial for effective investigation and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how case and respondent characteristics influence multidisciplinary professionals' perceptions of youth exhibiting PSB.
- To identify factors shaping judgments regarding a child's responsibility and potential criminal consequences for PSB.
Main Methods:
- Vignette-based survey data collected from 363 multidisciplinary team members in Texas.
- Analysis of how respondent characteristics (age, ideology, profession, location) and case characteristics (child's age) affected perceptions of PSB.
Main Results:
- Older children (14 vs. 10 years) displaying PSB were more likely perceived as responsible and deserving of criminal consequences.
- Political ideology, professional role, and practice location significantly influenced judgments.
- Mental health professionals and liberals were less likely to endorse criminal consequences, unlike legal professionals and conservatives.
Conclusions:
- Professional perceptions of youth PSB are shaped by a complex interplay of child age, professional roles, political ideology, and practice settings.
- Findings underscore the need for developmentally appropriate, coordinated training and interventions within multidisciplinary systems to ensure consistent and equitable responses to youth PSB.
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