SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS IN SEXUALLY ABUSED GIRLS

Objective: This study contrasted a group of sexually abused girls, age d 6 to 12 years, with two demographically comparable control groups, g irls from a child psychiatry outpatient department, and girls from a g eneral pediatric clinic to determine whether differences in sexual beh avior and psychopathology symptoms could be demonstrated. Method: All girls and their mothers underwent an evaluation protocol composed of t wo parent-report inventories, the Child Behavior Checklist and the Chi ld Sexual Behavior Inventory. Results: Sexually abused girls and psych iatric controls manifested more psychopathology symptoms, including in ternalizing and externalizing behaviors, than the nonpsychiatric contr ols. Relative to both control groups, sexually abused girls manifested more sexual behavior problems: masturbating openly and excessively, e xposing their genitals, indiscriminately hugging and kissing strange a dults and children, and attempting to insert objects into their genita ls. Abuse by fathers or stepfathers involving intercourse was associat ed with particularly marked sexual behavior disturbances. There was a subgroup of sexually abused girls who tended to force sexual activitie s on siblings and peers. All of these girls had experienced prolonged sexual abuse (more than 2 years) involving physical force which was pe rpetrated by a parent. Conclusions: Findings suggest that sexual abuse in preadolescent girls is associated with sexual behavior problems.