Caregivers of children with sexual behavior problems: psychological and familial functioning.

OBJECTIVE This research examined demographic and functional characteristics of parents of children with sexual behavior problems. METHOD Families of 72 children with sexual behavior problems completed a structured interview and several psychometric devices at intake into a treatment outcome study. RESULTS As a group, caregivers manifested signs of a high level of life stress across a wide array of variables, including income, criminal arrest, family violence, sexual abuse, social support, modulation of emotion, and attachment to their child. Foster parents consistently reported significantly lower levels of stress than biological parents. CONCLUSION Parents and families of children with sexual behavior problems appear multiply entrapped. They are highly distressed and somewhat isolated. The data convincingly demonstrate that in order to maximize the efficacy of treatment for children with sexual behavior problems, parents must be centrally involved and receive services coordinated with those of their child. Group treatment may be advisable to foster formation of a network of peer support for caregivers of children with sexual behavior problems.