Elsevier

Child Abuse & Neglect

Volume 51, January 2016, Pages 31-40
Child Abuse & Neglect

Research article
Does 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

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.11.016Get rights and content

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) continues to be a significant problem with significant short and long term consequences. However, extant literature is limited by the reliance on retrospective recall of adult samples, single-time assessments, and lack of longitudinal data during the childhood and adolescent years. The purpose of this study was to compare internalizing and externalizing behavior problems of those with a history of sexual abuse to those with a history of maltreatment, but not sexual abuse. We examined whether gender moderated problems over time. Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) at ages 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 (N = 977). The Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess internalizing and externalizing problems. Maltreatment history and types were obtained from official Child Protective Services (CPS) records. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to assess behavior problems over time by maltreatment group. Findings indicated significantly more problems in the CSA group than the maltreated group without CSA over time. Internalizing problems were higher for sexually abused boys compared to girls. For sexually abused girls internalizing problems, but not externalizing problems increased with age relative to boys. This pattern was similar among maltreated but not sexually abused youth. Further efforts are needed to examine the psychological effects of maltreatment, particularly CSA longitudinally as well as better understand possible gender differences in order to best guide treatment efforts.

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.

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