Predictors of Clinically Significant Sexual Concerns in a Child Welfare Population

Abstract

This study employed a risk and resilience paradigm to examine the correlates of youth with and without clinically significant sexual concerns (Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children) in a child welfare sample. Participants were 158 youth in substitute care with sexual behavior problems, as well as their caregivers. A multivariate classification tree analysis yielded an overall classification rate of 88%. Youth with clinically significant sexual concerns were more likely to have been sexually abused, have a substantial number of prior placements, and be residing in residential placements. For youth without a sexual abuse history, being female and witnessing community violence was associated with sexual concerns. This study demonstrated that a range of variables interact in complex ways to predict sexual concerns symptoms.

Keywords:

• child welfare
• sexual concerns
• trauma
• risk
• protective factors

Notes