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. 2016 Nov 1:10:45.
doi: 10.1186/s13034-016-0127-2. eCollection 2016.

Childhood traumatic experiences and mental health problems in sexually offending and non-sexually offending juveniles

Cyril Boonmann  1 , Thomas Grisso  2 , Laura S Guy  3 , Olivier F Colins  4 , Eva A Mulder  4 , P Vahl  4 , Lucres M C Jansen  5 , Theo A H Doreleijers  5 , Robert R J M Vermeiren  6
Affiliations

Childhood traumatic experiences and mental health problems in sexually offending and non-sexually offending juveniles

Cyril Boonmann et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. .

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between a history of childhood abuse and mental health problems in juveniles who sexually offended (JSOs) over and above general offending behavior.

Methods: A sample of 44 JSOs incarcerated in two juvenile detention centers in the Netherlands between May 2008 and March 2014 were examined for childhood abuse history (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form) and mental health problems (Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2). Furthermore, the connection between childhood abuse and mental health problems in JSOs was compared to a sample of 44 propensity score matched juveniles who offended non-sexually (non-JSOs).

Results: In JSOs, sexual abuse was related to anger problems, suicidal ideation, and thought disturbance. These associations were significantly stronger in JSOs than in non-JSOs.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the relationship between childhood abuse and both internalizing and externalizing mental health problems is of more salience for understanding sexual offending than non-sexual offending, and should, therefore, be an important focus in the assessment and treatment of JSOs.

Keywords: Childhood sexual abuse; MAYSI-2; Mental health problems; Sexual offending juveniles.

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