Date of Award

December 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Alan King

Abstract

The developmental life course (DLC) model explains risk factors and developmental patterns among juveniles who have committed more than one sexual offense by considering the impact of major life events, experiences, and risk and protective factors throughout various developmental stages. Using an archival longitudinal dataset, the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), this study applied the DLC model to explore the relationship between gender and onset and persistence of problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs) in childhood and adolescence with criminal justice involvement and psychopathology by early adulthood (N = 330, 46% male, M = 18.26 years) after controlling for specific risk (i.e., sexual victimization) and protective (i.e., mental health service utilization) factors. The data used a 2 (childhood PSB) x 2 (adolescent PSB) x 2 (gender) between-group design. Analyses included binary logistic regressions and odds ratio analyses to establish relationships between the risk indicators and criterion outcomes. After controlling for experiencing sexual victimization and utilization of mental health services, the results somewhat supported the DLC model. Most PSBs predicted substance use disorder. Males with age-inappropriate (e.g., preoccupation, intensity, frequency) sexual knowledge in childhood (per caregiver report) were more likely to have been arrested and have charges and/or convictions related to alcohol, drugs, and/or major traffic violations by early adulthood.

Share

COinS