Child Maltreatment and Trauma Symptoms Role in the Development of Intrusive Sexual Behaviors Among Children

Bibliographic Data

ID22420225
AuthorsJordan Simmons (0009-0006-6958-6355, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, corresponding author), Nicole Barton (University of Nevada, Reno), Kimberly Lopez (0000-0002-5934-7696, University of Southern Illinois), Erin Taylor (0000-0001-5581-6611, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center), Jane F Silovsky (0000-0003-4450-9282, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)
Year2026
Pages1-16
Publication date2026-05-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Child Sexual Abuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1053-8712 • E-ISSN: 1547-0679
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10538712.2026.2681207
PMID42218578
OpenAlexW7162940267
LanguageEN
References cited47

Given the high rate of sexual victimization committed by youth, it is critical to identify the etiological pathways of intrusive sexual behavior (ISB) to prevent future acts. ISBs are sexual behaviors that are aggressive, forceful, or otherwise coercive. Previous research has suggested that child maltreatment experiences are key environmental risk factors for ISB. The specific mechanism requires further study, including the potential pathway of subsequent posttraumatic symptom clusters (PTSS) sequela and ISB. This paper investigated maltreatment type and PTSS as risk factors in the development of ISBs. Caregivers of 106 children aged 3–12 who were referred to a specialty outpatient clinic for problematic sexual behaviors completed measures of child trauma, PTSS (e.g. reexperiencing, hyperarousal), and PSB frequencies, including ISBs. Results demonstrated a significant association between traumatic events and PTSS. A direct effect between CPA and ISB was found (ß = 1.22, t = 2.54, p = .04), as well as a significant indirect effect of CPA through hyperarousal symptoms (ß = 0.26, CI = 0.015–0.634) to ISB. CSA did not exert a direct effect on ISB or through any PTSS symptoms. Lastly, no direct effect of reexperiencing or hyperarousal on ISB was found. These results are discussed through clinical implications and future research for the prevention of future sexual victimization among children. The pattern of results is consistent with etiological research on disruptive behaviors overall, supporting future longitudinal research examining environmental, developmental, and neurological risk and protective factors.

Child sexual abuse · Etiology · Injury prevention · Longitudinal study · Poison control · Sexual abuse · Suicide prevention · Child Abuse and Trauma · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies

Tools

Open DOI