Child Maltreatment among Boy & Girl Probationers: Does Type of Maltreatment Make a Difference in Offending Behavior & Psychosocial Problems?

This study examined differences in offending behavior and psychosocial problems between juvenile offenders who have been sexually abused (n=231), physically abused (n=1,568), neglected (n=1,555), exposed to multiple forms of maltreatment (n=1,767), and non-victims (n=8,492). In addition, the moderating effect of gender in the association between type of maltreatment and offending behavior/psychosocial problems was examined. 

Results showed that violent offenses were more common in victims of physical abuse and victims of multiple forms of abuse than in non-victims, both in boys and girls. In boys, sexual offenses were far more common in victims of sexual abuse than in victims of other or multiple forms of maltreatment or in non-victims. In girls, no group differences were found in sexual offending behavior. For both boys and girls, externalizing problems were relatively common in victims of physical abuse and neglect whereas internalizing problems were relatively common in victims of sexual abuse. 

In victims of multiple forms of maltreatment, both internalizing and externalizing problems were relatively common. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Via: http://ht.ly/RRnO6

By: van der Put CE1, Lanctôt N2, de Ruiter C3, van Vugt E1.

• 1Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• 2Department of Psychoeducation, University of Sherbrooke, Canada.
• 3Department of Forensic Psychology Section, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

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