Characteristics of preschool-age children who engage in problematic sexual behaviors with siblings.

Child maltreatment Coercion Family sexuality Harmful sexual behavior Preschool-age children Problematic sexual behavior Sexually explicit materials Sibling sexual abuse

Journal

Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
05 Sep 2024
Historique:
received: 01 02 2024
revised: 15 08 2024
accepted: 21 08 2024
medline: 7 9 2024
pubmed: 7 9 2024
entrez: 6 9 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

Problematic sexual behavior (PSB) between siblings can be a form of sibling sexual abuse (SSA). A notable gap in research are studies examining PSB among preschool-age children with siblings. This study examined the impact of child maltreatment, exposure to family sexuality, and use of coercive sexual behavior on preschool-aged children PSB with siblings and with nonsiblings. All 284 children were ages 3-6 years with PSB who had siblings in the home (197 initiated PSB with siblings and 87 initiated PSB with non-siblings). The two groups were compared on types of PSB, use of coercion, child maltreatment history, exposure to family sexuality, and caregiver attitudes. Caregiver report measures were the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory- Third Edition (CSBI-III), the Family Sexuality Index, and intake form on maltreatment experienced (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, caregiver drug use, and failure to protect). Maltreatment history was significant, t(258) = -3.36, p < .001; sibling initiators were associated with higher rates of sexual and physical abuse, and neglect than non-sibling. Exposure to family sexuality was significant with non-sibling initiators demonstrating greater exposure than the sibling group, t(282) = 2.66, p = .008. There was no significance between groups for types of PSB including use of coercion. Results illuminated unique dynamics of PSB with siblings of preschool-aged children. A developmental framework integrating child maltreatment, impulsivity, environmental factors, and capabilities are key considerations for conceptualization, prevention, and response that is distinct from SSA of adolescents.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Problematic sexual behavior (PSB) between siblings can be a form of sibling sexual abuse (SSA). A notable gap in research are studies examining PSB among preschool-age children with siblings.
OBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE
This study examined the impact of child maltreatment, exposure to family sexuality, and use of coercive sexual behavior on preschool-aged children PSB with siblings and with nonsiblings.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING METHODS
All 284 children were ages 3-6 years with PSB who had siblings in the home (197 initiated PSB with siblings and 87 initiated PSB with non-siblings).
METHODS METHODS
The two groups were compared on types of PSB, use of coercion, child maltreatment history, exposure to family sexuality, and caregiver attitudes. Caregiver report measures were the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory- Third Edition (CSBI-III), the Family Sexuality Index, and intake form on maltreatment experienced (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, caregiver drug use, and failure to protect).
RESULTS RESULTS
Maltreatment history was significant, t(258) = -3.36, p < .001; sibling initiators were associated with higher rates of sexual and physical abuse, and neglect than non-sibling. Exposure to family sexuality was significant with non-sibling initiators demonstrating greater exposure than the sibling group, t(282) = 2.66, p = .008. There was no significance between groups for types of PSB including use of coercion.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Results illuminated unique dynamics of PSB with siblings of preschool-aged children. A developmental framework integrating child maltreatment, impulsivity, environmental factors, and capabilities are key considerations for conceptualization, prevention, and response that is distinct from SSA of adolescents.

Identifiants

DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107008 PMID: 39242269
pubmed: 39242269
pii: S0145-2134(24)00398-3
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107008
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

107008

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Auteurs

Nicole Barton (N)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: nicole-barton@ouhsc.edu.

Cierra Henson (C)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.

Kimberly Lopez (K)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: kimberly-lopez@ouhsc.edu.

Emma Lambert (E)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: emmaclambert@ou.edu.

Jordan Simmons (J)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: jordan-simmons@ouhsc.edu.

Erin Taylor (E)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: erin-taylor@ouhsc.edu.

Jane Silovsky (J)

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1000 NE 13th St Suite 4900, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: jane-silovsky@ouhsc.edu.

Classifications MeSH