Children With Sexual Behavior Problems: Assessment and Treatment.

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Methodology - Subjects

Children ages 6-12 with and without sexual behavior problems and their parents/caregivers participated in this study. Two hundred eighty-three (N=283) children and their caregivers were assessed for this project. Thirty children did not meet criteria for inclusion in the study. Of the remaining 253 children, 201 were children with sexual behavior problems (158 assessed at OUHSC and 43 assessed at UW); the remaining 52 children had no known sexual behavior problems and served as a comparison group (31 assessed at OUHSC and 21 assessed at UW).

The children with sexual behavior problems (CSBP) were referred for assessment and/or treatment by Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers from the Oklahoma and Washington State Departments of Human Services, law enforcement, physicians, foster parents, school personnel, other mental health professionals, and parents.

Although a research project such as this is strengthened by the inclusion of a control group, i.e., children ages 6 to 12 who had sexual behavior problems but did not receive treatment, it was determined to be unadvisable or unethical to withhold or delay treatment for this population of children. Therefore, a group of children ages 6 to 12 who had no known or reported sexual behavior problems and their parents/caregivers was recruited to serve as a comparison group for the study.

The comparison group (CG) was composed of children ages 6 to 12 and their parents or caregivers who (1) were self or agency referred for assessment, (2) had no known inappropriate sexual behavior, and (3) were fluent in the English language. These children were referred by CPS caseworkers, parents, foster parents, and other mental health professionals.

All children and caregivers gave informed, written assent and consent for assessment, treatment, and videotaping that met OUHSC and UW Institutional Review Board guidelines. Following the assessment, children who agreed to participate were referred to the treatment program at OUHSC. Children and caregivers who did not agree to participate in the study were referred for therapeutic services at OUHSC, UW, or to other community agencies. [Note: At the UW site, only the assessment process was explained as the treatment groups were conducted at the OUHSC site.]

In order to participate in the treatment program for children with sexual behavior problems, children had to be (a) referred for inappropriate sexual behavior, (b) between the ages of 6 and 12 at the time of treatment, and (c) fluent in the English language. Exclusionary criteria included: (a) a global intelligence quotient less than 68, or (b) significant psychological or behavior problems that hindered their ability to function in a group setting.

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