A Longitudinal Examination of Developmental Covariates of Sexual Behavior Problems among Youth Referred to Child Protection Services

Abstract

Little is known about the development of childhood sexual behavior problems (SBP) in terms of continuity and discontinuity into adolescence. Prior studies have espoused a nondevelopmental approach focusing on the clinical profiles of these youths at the time of their referral. To address this gap, the current study proposes an examination of the developmental covariates involved in the continuity of SBP among a sample of 340 children and adolescents referred to Child Protection Services (CPS) in Quebec, Canada. Children’s CPS contacts from birth up to age 17 were inspected, allowing to recreate the life history of social and familial adversities during that period. Logistic regression models were performed and helped to identify developmental covariates of childhood-onset SBP and its persistence into adolescence. Findings suggest that children with childhood-onset SBP that persisted into adolescence have experienced various life adversities. The study findings provide some preliminary evidence of the developmental pathways of SBP.

The Adult Offending Outcomes of Adolescents Who Have Perpetrated a Sex Offense: Is Sexual Offending in Adolescence Indicative of Things to Come?

“…The current study findings could also denote that young offenders with an APSO status might have distinct intervention needs when compared to those involved in other forms of serious offense. It could indicate that some APSO have intervention needs specific to the context of adolescence, such as the familial environment and their own experience of neglect and abuse (e.g., Barra et al, 2018;Chouinard-Thivierge et al, 2022;Lussier et al, 2019). Another possible hypothesis is that a significant proportion of APSO could be more receptive to desistance-focused interventions that contribute to reducing the offending over time (e.g., Farrall & Maruna, 2004;Menon & Cheung, 2018).…”

A meta-analysis of trends in general, sexual, and violent recidivism among youth with histories of sex offending

“…The key question that needs to be raised in light of the study findings is whether the juvenile justice system is doing more harm than good (i.e., in terms of adult criminal, social, professional, and health outcomes) by continuing to emphasize YSOs as a distinct group requiring separate interventions, treatments, and policy responses (e.g., Letourneau & Miner, 2005; Letourneau et al, 2009). For example, by focusing intervention on the prevention of a sexual reoffense, are there important developmental and criminogenic needs left unaddressed or under-addressed (e.g., Chouinard-Thivierge et al, 2021; Lussier et al, 2015; Rosa et al, 2020; van Wijk et al, 2006)? Is it also possible that youth justice-related interventions aimed to prevent a sexual reoffense are detrimental for youth development and the transition to adulthood (e.g., Van den Berg et al, 2017)?…”

Problematic Sexualized Behavior in Children: Essentials for the Pediatric Forensic Nurse

“…Psychosexual development involves the understanding of sexual behaviors in the context of human development (Elkovitch et al, 2009). Sexual behaviors are complex, impacted by many aspects of a child's development such as cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social functioning (Chouinard-Thivierge et al, 2022). A critical aspect of psychosexual development is that the child learns to regulate their sexual behavior according to age stages or milestones (Wurtele & Kenny, 2011).…”