Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Correlates of Behavioral Outcomes in Sexually Abused Children

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study attempted to identify individual and contextual factors associated with outcomes in a group of 63 latency-aged children disclosing sexual abuse (SA). Children reporting SA were found to display greater internalizing and externalizing behavioral difficulties as well as more sexualized behaviors relative to same-age non-abused peers. Mothers also reported these children as less socially competent than their peers. Family contextual factors appeared to be associated with behavioral difficulties and made a unique contribution to the prediction of externalizing and sexualized behaviors. Of the personal variables, avoidance coping was found to be linked to poorer outcomes. In examining possible factors linked to ‘resilient’ outcomes in a 6-month time-frame, family conflict and avoidance coping were found to be associated to clinical status in children reporting SA.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist/4–18 and 1991 Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, M., Dubowtz, H., & Harrington, D. (1994). Sexual abuse: Developmental differences in children's behavior and self-perception. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18, 85–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blishen, B. R., Carroll, W. K., & Moore, C. (1987). The 1981 socioeconomic index for occupations in Canada. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 24, 465–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briere, J. (1997). Psychological assessment of adult posttraumatic states. Washington: American Psychological Association, (pp. 251).

  • Briere, J., & Elliott, D. M. (1994). Immediate and long-term impacts of child sexual abuse. The future of children, 4(2), 54–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brodzinsky, D. M., Elias, M. J., Steiger, C., & Simon, J. (1992). Coping Scale for Children and Youth: Scale development and validation. Journal of Applied Development Psychology, 12, 195–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, A., & Finkelhor, D. (1986). Initial and long-term effects: A review of the research. In Finkelhor, D (ed.), A sourcebook on child sexual abuse (pp. 143–179). Beverly Hills, California: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhrmester, D., & Furman, W. (1985). Perceptions of sibling relationships during middle childhood and adolescence. Child Development, 61, 1387–1398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caffaro-Rouget, A., Lang, R. A., & van Santen, V. (1989). The impact of child sexual abuse on victims' adjustment. Annals of sex research, 2, 29–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calam, R., Horne, L., Glasgow, D., & Cox, A. (1998). Psychological disturbance and child sexual abuse: A follow-up study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 22(9), 901–913.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Causey, D. L., & et Dubow, E. F. (1992). Development of a Self-Report Coping Measure for elementary school children. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 21, 47–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caya, M. L., & Liem, J. H. (1998). The role of sibling support in high-conflict families. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 68(2), 327–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centre des services sociaux du Montréal métropolitain (April 1990). L’abus sexuel … une définition. Adopté par la Table des directeurs et directrices de la protection de la jeunesse. Association des centres de services sociaux du Québec.

  • Chaffin, M., Wherry, J. N., & Dykman, R. (1997). School age children's coping with sexual abuse: Abuse stresses and symptoms associated with four coping strategies. Child Abuse & Neglect, 21, 227–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalk, R., & King, P. (1998). Violence in Families: Assessing prevention and treatment programs. Committee on the Assessment of Family Violence Interventions. Washington, DC.: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandy, J. M., Blum, R. W., & Resnick, M. D. (1996). Female adolescents with a history of sexual abuse---Risk outcome and protective factors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 11(4), 503–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. A., & Mannarino, A. P. (1988). Psychological symptoms in sexually abused girls. Child Abuse & Neglect, 12, 571–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Compas, B. E., Malcarne, V. L., & Fondacaro, K. M. (1988). Coping with stressful events in older children and young adolescents. Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology, 56, 405–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowell, N. A., & Burgess, A. W. (1996). Understanding violence against women. Panel on Research on Violence Against Women, National Research Council. Washington, DC.: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebata, A. T., & Moos, R. H. (1991). Coping and adjustment in distressed and healthy adolescents. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 12, 33–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebata, A. T., & Moos, R. H. (1994). Personal, situational, and contextual correlates of coping in adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 4, 99–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edgardh, K., & Ormstad, K. (2000). Prevalence and characteristics of sexual abuse in a national sample of Swedish 17-year-old girls. Acta Paediatrica, 89, 310–319.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, A. N., & Carnes, C. N. (2001). Reactions of nonoffending parents to the sexual abuse of their child: A review of the literature. Child Maltreatment, 6(4), 314–331.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emery, R. E., & Forehand, R. (1996). Parental divorce and children's well-being: A focus on resilience. In Haggerty, R. J., Sherrod, L. R. et al. (Eds), Stress, risk, and resilience in children and adolescents: Processes, mechanisms, and interventions (pp. 64–69). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esparza, D. (1993). Maternal support and stress response in sexually abused girls ages 6–12. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 14, 85–107.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feiring, C., Taska, L., & Lewis, M. (1998). The role of shame and attributional style in children's and adolescents' adaptation to sexual abse. Child Maltreatment, 3(2), 129–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D. (1990). Early and long-term effects of child sexual abuse: A update. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 21(5), 325–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D. (1997). The victimization of children – Developmental victimology. In Davis, R. D., Lurigio, A. J., & Skogan, W. G. (eds.), Victims of Crime, second edition.

  • Finkelhor, D., & Browne, A. (1986). Initial and long-term effects: A conceptual framework. In Finkelhor, D. (ED.), A sourcebook on child sexual abuse (pp. 180–198). Beverly Hills, California: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franco, N., & Levitt, M. J. (1998). The social ecology of early childhood: Preschool social support networks and social acceptance. Social development, 6, 292–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich, W. N. (1988). Behavior problems in sexually abused children: An adaptational perspective. In Wyatt, G. E., & Powell, G. J. (Eds.), Lasting effects of child sexual abuse. London: Sage Publications.

  • Friedrich, W. N., Urquiza, A. J., & Beilke, R. L. (1986). Behavior problems in sexually abused young children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11, 47–57.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garmezy, N. (1991). Resilience and vulnerability to adverse developmental outcomes associates with poverty. Amercian Behavioral Scientist, 34, 416–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gidycz, C. A., Coble, C. N., Latham, L., & Layman, M. J. (1993). Sexual assault experience in adulthood and prior victimization experiences: A prospective analysis. Psychology of Women Quartely, 17, 151–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes-Schwartz, B., Horowitz, J. M., & Cardarelli, A. P. (1990). Child sexual abuse. The initial effects. Beverly Hills California: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Health Canada (1997). Risque, vulnérabilité, résilience---Implications pour les systèmes de santé. MInistère des Approvisionnements et Services Canada: Direction générale de la promotion et des programmes de la santé.

  • Hébert, M., & Parent, N. (1998). Psychometric properties of the french version of the Sibling Relationships Questionnaire. Département d’Orientation, d’Administration et d’Évaluation, Université Laval.

  • Hébert, M., & Parent, N. (1998). Psychometric properties of the french version of the Family Environment Scale. Département d’Orientation, d’Administration et d’Évaluation, Université Laval.

  • Hébert, M., Parent, N., & Daignault, I. V. (submitted). Psychometric properties of the French Canadian version of the Self-Report Coping Scale and development of a short form.

  • Hébert, M., Robichaud, M., Tremblay, C., Saint-Denis, M., Damant, D., Lavoie, F., Perreaut, N., Dorais, M., Rinfret-Raynor, M. (2002). Des interventions préventives et des services d’aide directe en matière d’agression sexuelle: Description des pratiques québécoises. Rapport de recherche. Ste-Foy: Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femems (CRIVIFF).

  • Holahan, C. J., & Moos, R. H. (1991). Life stressors, personal and social resources, and depression: A 4-year structural model. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 31–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holahan, C. J., Moos, R. H., & Schaefer, J. A. (1996). Coping, stress resistance, and growth: Conceptualizing adaptive functioning. In Zeidner, M., Endler, N. S. et al. Handbook of coping: Theory, research, applications (pp. 22–43). New York: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B. K., & Kenkel, M. B. (1991). Stress, coping and adjustment in female adolescent incest victims. Child Abuse & Neglect, 15, 293–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. G., Cohen, J., Gould, M. S., Kasen, S., Brown, J., & Brook, J. S. (2002). Childhood adversities, interpersonal difficulties, and risk for suicide attempts during late adolescence and early adulthood. Archives of General Psychiatry, 59, 741–749.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, L. M., Finkelhor, D., & Kopiec, K. (2001). Why is sexual abuse declining? A survey of child protection administrators. Child Abuse & Neglect, 25, 1139–1158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall-Tackett, K. A., Williams, L. M., & Finkelhor, D. (1993). Impact of sexual abuse on children: A review and syntesis of recent empirical studies. Psychological Bulletin, 113, 164–180.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinard, E. M. (1998). Methodological issues in assessing resilience in maltreated children. Child Abuse & Neglect, 22(7), 669–680.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kliewer, W. (1991). Coping in middle childhood: Relations to competence. Type A behavior, monitoring, blunting, and locus of control. Developmental Psychology, 27, 689–697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koverola, C., Pound, J., Heger, A., & Lytle, C. (1993). Relationship of child sexual abuse to depression. Child Abuse & Neglect, 17, 393–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leventhal, J. M. (1998). Epidemiology of sexual abuse of children: Old problems, new directions. Child Abuse & Neglect, 22(6), 481–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liem, J. H., James, J. B., O'Toole, J. G., & Boudewyn, A. C. (1997). Assessing resilience in adults with histories of childhood sexual abuse. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 67(4), 594–606.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ligezinska, M., Firestone, P., Manion, I. G., McIntyre, J., Ensom, R., & Wells, G. (1996). Children's emotional and behavioral reactions following the disclosure of extrafamilial sexual abuse: Initial effects. Child Abuse & Neglect, 20, 111–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynn, M., Jacob, N., & Pierce, L. (1988). Child sexual abuse: A follow-up study of reports to a protective service hotline. Children and Youth Services Review, 10, 151–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynskey, M. T., & Fergusson, D. M. (1997). Factors protecting against the development of adjustment difficulties in young adults exposed to childhood sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 21, 1177–1190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margolin, G. (1998). Effects of domestic violence on children. In Trickett, P. K., Schellenbach, C. J. et al. (Eds.), Violence against children in the family and the community, (pp. 57–101). Washington: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Coatsworth, J. D. (1998). The development of competence in favorable and unfavorable environments: Lessons fron research of succesful children. American Psychologist, 53(2), 205–220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Wright, M. (1998). Cumulative risk and protection models of child maltreatment. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 2(1), 7–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mennen, F. E., & Meadow, D. (1995). The relationship of abuse characteristics to symptoms in sexually abused girls. Journal of interpersonal Violence, 10, 259–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H. (1990). Conceptual and empirical approaches to developing family-based assessment procedures: Resolving the case of the Family Environment Scale. Family Process, 29(2), 199–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paolucci, E. O., Genuis, M. L., & Violato, C. (2001). A meta-analysis of the published research on the effects of child sexual abuse. The Journal of Psychology, 135(1), 17–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parent, N., & Hébert, M. (1995). Questionnaire sur la victimisation de l'enfant. Adaptation française du “History of Victimization Form” by Wolfe, Gentile & Boudreau (1987). Ste-Foy: Département de mesure et évaluation, Université Laval.

  • Pierce, R. L., & Pierce, L. H. (1985). Analysis of sexual abuse hotline reports. Child Abuse & Neglect, 9, 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polusny, M. A., & Follette, V. M. (1995). Long-term correlates of child sexual abuse: Theory and review of the empirical litterature. Applied and Preventive Psychology, 4, 143–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, F. W. (2003). Ten-year research update review: Child sexual abuse. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(3), 269–278.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, N., Ryan, S. W., Rowan, An. B., & Foy, D. W. (1996). Posttraumatic stress disorder in a clinical sample of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 20, 943–952.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roth, S., & Cohen, L. J. (1986). Approach, avoidance, and coping with stress. American Psychologist, 41, 813–819.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 316–331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1993). Resilience: Some conceptual considerations. Journal of Adolescent Health, 14, 626–631.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan-Wenger, N. M. (1992). A taxonomy of children's coping strategies: A step toward theory development. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 62, 256–263.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandler, I. N., Tein, J. Y., & West, S. G. (1994). Coping, stress, and the psychological symptoms of children of divorce: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Child Development, 65, 1744–1763.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spaccarelli, S., & Kim, S. (1995). Resilience criteria and factors associated with resilience in sexually abused girls. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19(9), 1171–1182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trickett, P. K., & Putnam, F. W. (1998). Developmental consequences of child sexual abuse. In Trickett, P. K., & Schellenbach, C. J. (Eds.), Violence against children in the family and the community. Washington: Amercian Psychological Association.

  • Trocmé, N., MacLaurin, B., Fallon, B., Daciuk, J., Billingsley, D., Tourigny, M., et al. (2001). Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child 2Abuse & Neglect: Final Report. Ottawa, Ontario: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, W. G. (1991). Brief term psychological adjustment of sexually abused children. Child Study Journal, 21, 263–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E. (1990). Protective factors and individual resilience. In Meisels, S. J., & Skonkoff, J. P., (eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention (pp. 97–116). Cambrige, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, V. V., & Birt, J-A. (1995). The psychological sequelae of child sexual abuse. In Ollendick, T. H., & Prinz, R. J. (Eds.), Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, 17 (pp. 233–263). New York: Plenum Press.

  • Wolfe, V. V., & Birt, J. -A. (1997). Child sexual abuse. In Mash, E. J. & Terdal, L. G. (Eds.), Assessment of childhood disorders (3rd ed.). (pp. 569–623). New York: Guilford Press.

  • Wolfe, V. V., Gentile, C., & Bourdeau, P. (1987). History of Victimization Form. Ontario, Canada: Unpublished assessment instrument, London Health Science Centre, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, S. (1995). The concept of resilience. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 29, 565–574.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by a grant from the Conseil québécois de la recherche sociale awarded to the first author. The authors wish to thank the children and the parents who participated in the study and members of the Clinique de pédiatrie socio-juridique de l'Hôpital Sainte-Justine: Dr. Claire Allard-Dansereau, Dr. Anne-Claude Bernard-Bonnin, Dr. Gilles Chabot and Dr. Bernard Méthot.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8, Canada

    Martine Hébert, Caroline Tremblay & Isabelle V. Daignault

  2. École de psychologie Université Laval Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada

    Nathalie Parent & Christiane Piché

Authors
  1. Martine Hébert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Caroline Tremblay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nathalie Parent
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Isabelle V. Daignault
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Christiane Piché
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martine Hébert.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hébert, M., Tremblay, C., Parent, N. et al. Correlates of Behavioral Outcomes in Sexually Abused Children. J Fam Viol 21, 287–299 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-006-9026-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-006-9026-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation