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Home / About / About Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB) / Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB) is Self-Focused
This guidance is designed for parents and caregivers of children whose PSB are self-focused. Doesn’t sound like your family’s situation? You can learn about PSB generally here or view our other tailored guidance here.
Not all problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) involve other children. Sometimes, children engage in self-focused PSB, such as compulsive masturbation, excessive interest in pornography, or watching child sexual abuse materials. Don’t wait to intervene: taking action early on gives your child the best chances of overcoming the behavior. The steps below can help guide you through this discovery and what to do next.
For children, PSB are not always related to sexual stimulation. Often, children who exhibit PSB do so out of curiosity, anxiety, lack of accurate information about their bodies, as part of self-calming or attention-seeking strategies, or imitation. Imitation may stem from exposure to adult sexual behaviors.
Additionally, research shows that many of these behaviors can come from trauma. A majority of children with PSB have experienced physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse. Many others have been exposed to domestic or community violence. 1 Other risk factors include inadequate family boundaries around sexuality and nudity, or early exposure to pornography. 2
When you learn your child is engaging in self-focused PSB, you may experience many different emotions. Feeling anger, shame, guilt, disappointment, confusion, or distress is common and normal.
Try to understand more about the situation surrounding their PSB. This can help a child overcome and resolve their behavioral issue. Some questions to think about include:
The answers to these questions can help you figure out how to move forward. If you don’t feel comfortable asking these questions, don’t worry. A therapist can help better understand the root causes of your child’s PSB and assess their safety.
The next section will help you figure out who to contact and where to find help.
These situations are complex and may require interventions from various professionals.
If a child shares that they were sexually abused, you can contact DCF (Department of Children and Families) or your local Child Advocacy Center for help. If the disclosure happens after business hours, you can contact the DCF hotline at 800-792-5200, or your local law enforcement agency.
If your child needs therapy:
PSB-specific therapeutic treatment is highly effective in helping children overcome their problematic sexual behaviors. To find local PSB treatment providers, visit the MASOC Resource Directory.
If your child is facing issues at school:
Your child’s wellbeing depends on your wellbeing. Parental support is one of the most important ways children can overcome their PSB. The following resources can help you find services that can support YOU during these difficult times:
In Massachusetts, some child-serving professionals, called mandated reporters, are legally required to report to the state when they have reasonable cause to believe a child is being neglected or abused. This includes allegations of child sexual abuse, regardless of who is believed to have perpetrated the abuse. This means the mandated reporter will contact the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Understanding PSB will help you stay calm and support your child. Here are a few resources that can help:
While much of the information and resources about problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) are applicable to all children, children with intellectual or developmental disabilities may have unique reasons for engaging in PSB and require unique approaches to treatment. To read tailored guidance on PSB in children with developmental or intellectual disabilities, click here.
1 Children who harm other children by engaging in PSB are often victims of abuse themselves. Research shows that between 20% and 48% of children with PSB have experienced sexual abuse and that between 32% and 48% of children exhibiting PSB have experienced physical abuse. Studies have also highlighted that PSB is more common in children exposed to domestic violence. Allen, B. (2017). Children with sexual behavior problems: Clinical characteristics and relationship to child maltreatment. Child Psychiatry and Human Development 48, 189–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0633-8; Silovsky, J., Niec, L., Bard, D., & Hecht, D. (2007). Treatment for preschool children with interpersonal sexual behavior problems: A pilot study. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 36(3), 378–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374410701444330 ; Bonner, B. L., Walker, C. E., & Berliner, L. (1999). Children with sexual behavior problems: Assessment and treatment – final report. Grant No. 90-CA-1469. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect; Silovsky, J. F., & Niec, L. (2002). Characteristics of young children with sexual behavior problems: A pilot study. Child Maltreatment, 7(3), 187–197. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1177/1077559502007003002 ; Friedrich, W. N., Davies, W., Feher, E., & Wright, J. (2003). Sexual behavior problems in preteen children. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 989, 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07296.x ; Mesman, G., Harper, S., Edge, N., Brandt, T. and Pemberton, J. (2019, May). Problematic sexual behavior in children. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 33(3), 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2018.11.002.
2 https://www.ncsby.org/sites/default/files/Problematic%20Sexual%20Behavior%20-Protective%20Factors%20and%20Vulnerabilities%20(1).pdf3 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 2023-24 Student Discipline Data Report. https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/ssdr.aspx
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