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Family Context and Childhood Adjustment Associated With Intrafamilial Unwanted Sexual Attention

NCJ Number
194935
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 151-165
Author(s)
Julia M. Whealin; Stephanie Davies; Anne E. Shaffer; Joan L. Jackson; Leslie C. Love
Date Published
June 2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study sought to identify the correlates and impact of unwanted sexual attention (UWSA) by family members toward girls in the family.
Abstract
UWSA encompasses unsolicited verbal comments, gestures, stares, and other noncontact behaviors regarding the girl's sexuality and physical appearance. One objective of the study was to determine whether family climate was associated with intrafamilial UWSA. This included looking at three types of dysfunctional parenting styles (unaffectionate, unavailable, and patriarchal) as well as exploring the co-occurrence of UWSA by adult and child relatives. A second objective was to then measure the impact of such intrafamilial UWSA on childhood emotional health, after controlling for parenting style and the experience of more traditional forms of child sexual abuse. Of the 296 university women (mean age of 19) who participated in the study, 70 percent (n=206) reported UWSA from a family member prior to age 18. Whereas each dysfunctional parenting style was related to the presence of UWSA, a simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that two of the parenting styles, patriarchal and parental unavailability, also predicted frequency of nonphysical UWSA within the family. The presence of UWSA from a child relative was significantly correlated with the presence of UWSA from an adult relative. Hierarchical multiple regression entered the three parenting styles simultaneously in the first step, childhood sexual abuse in the second step, and familial UWSA in the last step. This analysis indicated that the frequency of UWSA by family members significantly predicted poorer childhood mental health when controlling for the other variables. Overall, results indicate that although the specific parenting styles that co-occur with UWSA may be detrimental in their own right, the impact of UWSA on girls acts independently of either parenting styles or child sexual abuse. 4 tables and 42 references