PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF MALE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SEXUAL EXPERIENCES WITH ADULTS - A REVIEW OF THE NONCLINICAL LITERATURE

Researchers have generally neglected sexual experiences of boys with a dults, assumed them to be the same as those of girls, or tried to unde rstand them by referring to clinical research while ignoring nonclinic al research. A review of nonclinical research allows a more complete u nderstanding of boys' sexual experiences with adults and the outcomes and correlates of those experiences. Research with nonclinical samples reveals a broad range of reactions, with most reactions being either neutral or positive. Clinical samples reveal a narrower primarily nega tive, set of reactions. Comparison of the reactions of boys and girls shows that reactions and outcomes for boys are more likely to be neutr al or positive. Moderator variables, including presence of force, perc eptions of consent, and relationship to the adult, also relate to outc omes. Incestuous contacts and those involving force or threats are mos t likely to be negative. Problems in this field of research include br oad and vague definitions of ''abuse'' and conflation of value judgmen ts with ham. Effects of boys' early sexual experiences with older pers ons in general cannot be accurately inferred from clinical research al one or from girls' experiences.