Sex, Sexuality and Gender-Related Issues in Child Psychiatric Practice: A Review

Abstract

In child and adolescent psychiatric practice, it is important for a clinician to be aware of contexts in which children are brought with concerns related to sexual behaviors. Johnson described a continuum of natural and healthy behaviors to sexually aggressive behaviors. Sexual development begins in fetal life and continues through infancy, childhood, and adolescence along characteristic pathways. Typically, developing children exhibit a wide range of sexual behaviors. Children and adolescents may display increased or deviant sexual behavior as a result of certain stressors, traumatic experiences, or psychiatric illnesses. This has been emerging as an important clinical issue over the past few years. It is important to distinguish between normal behaviors and disordered behaviors before planning any intervention. This article summarizes the sexuality- and gender-related issues that are encountered in child and adolescent psychiatric practice.