A meta-analysis of the association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and problematic sexual behavior among preteen children

It is widely postulated that problematic sexual behavior (PSB) of preteen children may be the result of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) secondary to child sexual abuse (CSA). Several studies have examined the potential associations between PSB and PTSS, but this is the first meta-analytic synthesis of the relevant research. A total of 16 effect sizes, derived from 12 studies, were included in the analysis. The results suggest a significant association between PSB and PTSS, r =.35, p <.001, and significant heterogeneity was observed among the effect sizes, Q = 469.69, p <.001. However, moderator analyses failed to demonstrate that the link between PSB and PTSS was stronger among samples composed of children with a history of sexual abuse, β =.12, Z = 0.75, p =.456. Additional moderator analyses failed to find any variables that clearly impacted the association between PSB and PTSS. These results are discussed from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, and suggestions for further research are provided.