Comparison of the Effects of Sexual Abuse on Male and Female Latency-Aged Children

Abstract

The psychological impact of childhood sexual abuse on latency-aged children was investigated by the combined use of self-report instruments and parent/caretaker reports. In the study, 20 males and 20 females who were in treatment at clinics in two large Southeastern cities comprised the abused groups, and a matched number of children from the same areas comprised a control group. The hypothesis that sexually abused children differ from nonabused peers was supported by the results. Abused children identified themselves as having more problems in peer interactions and saw themselves as more depressed than the nonabused children. Caretakers reported that the abused children had more problems with aggression, social interactions, and being overly sensitive to peers' negative statements; lacked appropriate social skills; and demonstrated more sexual acting-out behaviors. A second hypothesis, that within the abused children's group there would be significant differences between males and females, was not supported by the results. The direction of the group means on all the dependent variables for the abused male and female groups was, however, in the expected direction. Possible explanations for these results as well as future research needs are discussed.