Sexually inappropriate behaviors in seriously mentally ill children and adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and clinical correlates of sexually inappropriate behaviors in all youth treated at a tertiary care public sector psychiatric hospital over a 5-year period. A retrospective chart review was completed on 499 subjects. Subjects were grouped in four mutually exclusive categories: no inappropriate sexual behaviors (n = 296), hypersexual (n = 82), exposing (n = 39) and victimizing (n = 82) behaviors. Those with histories of sexually inappropriate behaviors had much higher rates of being sexually abused (82 vs. 36%), and also had higher rates of physical abuse and neglect, behavior disorders, developmental problems, and family histories of antisocial behavior. They were less likely to have affective disorders. The hypersexual group had a higher proportion of females, and was associated in part with variables relating to sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder. The more severe offending groups (exposing and victimizing) were associated with variables related to sexual abuse, developmental delays, lower IQ's, peer problems, and other acting-out behavior problems. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating for sexually inappropriate behaviors in seriously mentally ill youth, especially in those with histories of sexual abuse.