Research articleDoes the impact of child sexual abuse differ from maltreated but non-sexually abused children? A prospective examination of the impact of child sexual abuse on internalizing and externalizing behavior problems☆
Section snippets
Methods
Data for the current study were drawn from Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). LONGSCAN is a multi-site prospective study of the antecedents and consequences of child maltreatment (see Runyan et al., 1998 for detailed information about recruitment and site samples). Face-to-face interviews were conducted separately with child and caregiver participants approximately every two years beginning at child age 4. Beginning at child age 12, interviews were completed using an
Results
Of the analysis sample, 18% (n = 195) had one or more CPS allegations of sexual abuse between birth and age 16. Fifty-three percent (n = 573) had one or more referrals for child maltreatment but no allegations of sexual abuse, and 29% did not have any CPS allegations of any type (n = 318). With regard to polyvictimization status, 47% (n = 510) of the sample had more than one alleged type of maltreatment between birth and age 16. With regard to abuse timing, 91% of the maltreated sample (CSA and
Discussion
The purpose of this study was to compare behavioral problems over time in sexually abused versus maltreated, but non-sexually abused children, and to examine the extent to which gender moderated problem behaviors. Findings indicated those with a history of sexual abuse had significantly greater externalizing and internalizing problems over time compared to those without sexual abuse histories. Some gender differences did emerge. Overall, caregivers reported higher externalizing behavior
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This study was supported by grants CA-90CA1401, 90CA1433, and 90CA1467 from the Administration for Children and Families, and grant 1 R01 HD039689 from the National Institute of Child Health and Development.