Behavioral Management of Inappropriate Masturbation in an 8-Year-Old Girl

Abstract

An 8-year-old girl, previously diagnosed with infantile masturbation, was referred and treated for inappropriate masturbation. Treatment involved age-appropriate sexual education, reinforcement contingencies, the use of distraction and redirection, and when necessary, timeout. The inappropriate masturbation behavior was substantially reduced during treatment phase from daily occurrence to occasional occurrence, and at 6-week post-treatment follow-up, inappropriate masturbation was absent.

KEYWORDS:

• behavioral management
• child
• masturbation
• problem sexual behaviors
• treatment

Acknowledgments

Oral parental consent was obtained for the preparation and submission of this case study.