THE INFLUENCE OF SEX AND AGE IN THE PSYCH OLOGICAL REPERCUSSIONS OF PHYSICALLY ABUSED-CHILDREN

This word studies the influence, in physically abused subjects, of sex and age on a series of variables which measure children's social and affective adjustment. The sample was made up of 62 boys and 57 girls; of them, 38 were of school age (9 to 10 years old), 45 were preteens ( 11 and 12 years old) and 36 were teens (13 and 14 years old). They com pleted several self-assessment tests and they were also evaluated by t heir teachers and peers. The results show that the older subjects, whe n compared with the younger ones, give signs of a worsening in their e motional attitudes and social adaptation. Finally, regarding the sex v ariable, girls were shown to have more internalizing behavior problems than boys.