CROSS-GENDER BEHAVIOR AND GENDER CONFLICT 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 clinic, and girls from a gener al pediatric clinic, to determine whether differences in gender role b ehavior and identity could be demonstrated. Method: All girls underwen t an evaluation protocol that included a semistructured interview for children, the Gender Role Assessment Schedule-Child (GRAS-C). The moth ers were administered several questionnaires including two parent-repo rt measures of gender-related behavior in their children, the Child Ga me Participation Questionnaire (CGPQ) and the Child Behavior and Attit ude Questionnaire-Female version (CBAQ-F). Results: Sexually abused gi rls manifested significantly more cross-gender behavior on the GRAS-C (in the areas of gender role preference and aggression) and gender ide ntity conflict than did nonabused girls in both comparison groups. For the sexually abused and psychiatric control groups, their parents rep orted greater involvement in traditionally masculine games on the CGPQ , but on the CBAQ-F, no significant group differences were found. Conc lusions: Findings suggest that sexual abuse in preadolescent girls is associated with cross-gender behavior and gender conflict.