Psychosocial and criminological characterization of Chilean adolescents with sexually abusive behavior

Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterize the psychosocial and criminological variables associated with adolescents who develop sexually abusive behavior, depending on the age of the victims. Psychosocial and criminological data were collected from 232 male adolescents who have demonstrated sexually abusive behavior. This data was analyzed using a non-experimental, cross-sectional design with descriptive and correlational characteristics. The results indicate statistically significant differences between adolescents who offended against a child victim versus adolescents who offended against a peeraged victim, both in psychosocial variables (school history and history of victimization) and criminological variables (context of sexually abusive behavior and adolescent-victim relationship). The results are discussed in relation to international evidence and the implications of generating knowledge in this area.