Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology, Clinical-Community

Date of Defense

12-16-2024

Graduate Advisor

Rachel Wamser, PhD

Committee

Matt Kliethermes, PhD

Devin Banks, PhD

Julie Bertram, PhD, RN

Abstract

As research and intervention regarding children’s problematic sexual behavior (PSB) have broadly defined PSB, including all forms of developmentally atypical sexual behavior and all potential etiological factors, limited work to date has identified subtypes or unique patterns of PSB. The aim of the current study was to examine the presence of unique patterns of PSB and etiological factors among high-risk children utilizing latent profile analysis (LPA) based on children’s self-focused PSB, interpersonal PSB (IPSB), maltreatment factors, co-occurring symptoms, adaptive functioning, and family functioning. The present study included 689 8-year-old children (50.1% male, 50.2% Black) with potential PSB and their caregivers from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) study. Six profiles were identified: Developmentally typical (48.5%), Non-trauma-related developmental difficulties and PSB (22.2%), Family dysfunction and PSB (9.6%), Non-child sexual abuse (CSA) polyvictimization and IPSB (8.27%), PSB/IPSB and co-occurring symptoms (7.6%), and CSA polyvictimization and PSB (3.9%). Profile membership was associated with all included indicators, including children’s exposure to maltreatment, type and level of symptoms, developmental delays, family functioning, as well as form and degree of PSB. The findings highlight the heterogeneity of children with PSB and may further contribute to identification of children with varying presentations of PSB and informed treatment selection.

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