Behavioral characteristics of preadolescent girls from sexually abusive dysfunctional families

Children are referred to mental health centers for treatment of a wide vari ety of emotional/behavioral problems. Some are referred because of the prob lematic nature of their behavior (e.g., acting out) while others are referr ed due to the problematic behaviors inflicted upon them by themselves or ot hers (e.g., abuse). Twenty-five girls (aged 6 thru II) who had been sexuall y abused were compared to a matched group who experienced other difficultie s (Dysfunctional Families group). The psychological and behavioral characte ristics of these two groups of preadolescent girls referred for treatment a t a rural mental health center were compared using the Revised Achenbach Ch ild Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Mean scores for both groups fell above the 6 9th percentile on all nine CBCL scales. From 24% to 36% of the sexually-abu sed group fell,within the clinical range on the Depressed, Social Withdrawa l and Hyperactive CBCL scales. Nevertheless, ratings were significantly hig her for the Dysfunctional Families group on the broad-band Internalizing an d Externalizing scales, indicating the tendency for these girls to exhibit more fearful, inhibited, and overcontrolled behaviors, as well as more aggr essive, antisocial, and undercontrolled behaviors.