Sexual behavior in childhood and association with behavior problems

  • Marina Monzani da Rocha Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento - Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
  • Camila Teixeira Monteiro Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
  • Ana Lucia Alcântara de Oliveira Ulian Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Edwiges Ferreira de Mattos Silvares Universidade de São Paulo
Keywords: Children, Sexual behavior, Child development, Behavior issues.

Abstract

To verify the occurrence of sexual behavior during childhood, from the perspective of the parents, and its relation with child’s age, gender, and the presence of behavioral problems, parents of 54 children (4 to 8 years old), with no history of mental health issues or sexual abuse, filled the “Child Sexual Behavior Inventory” (CSBI) and the “Child Behavior Checklist” (CBCL/4-18). A wide variation of the sexual behaviors, with different frequency, was reported. Parents of boys reported, on average, more sexual behaviors than parents of girls (8.04 vs. 5.12). No statistical difference was found between the frequency of sexual behaviors in preschoolers and school age children. Moderated positive correlations were found between sexual behaviors (CSBI) and behavioral problems (CBCL). The most and least frequent sexual behaviors presented by our sample were similar to those found in international studies. Surveys like the one conducted with this sample should assist the evaluation of problems in the area, and facilitate guidance for parents and children on child sexuality.

Author Biographies

Marina Monzani da Rocha, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento - Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento - Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Brasil.
Camila Teixeira Monteiro, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
Ana Lucia Alcântara de Oliveira Ulian, Universidade Federal da Bahia
Universidade Federal da Bahia
Edwiges Ferreira de Mattos Silvares, Universidade de São Paulo
Universidade de São Paulo

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Published
2018-05-02
Section
Artigos Originais