Psychological Correlates of Male Child and Adolescent Sexual Experiences with Adults: 
A Review of the Nonclinical Literature

Robert Bauserman, Ph.D., [*1, * 3] and Bruce Rind, Ph.D. [*2]

Archives of Sexual behavior, 26-2, 1997

[*1]  Psychology Department, 1012 East Hall, University or Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48100.
[*2]  Temple Universily, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] 9122
[*3] To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Summary 

Content of the article

INTRODUCTION METHOD RESULTS DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION 

METHOD 
Location of Studies 
Criteria for Inclusion 
Table 1 
Summary of Nonclinical Outcome Research of Childhood and Adolescent Sexual Experiences 
Coding of Studies 

RESULTS 
Overview of Studies 
Outcomes 
Table II
Correlates and Reactions for Early Sexual Contacts with Adults - College Samples 
College Study Results: Self-Report 
College Study Results: Standardized Measures 
Personality Measures 
Sexual Adjustment 
Clinical Measures 
Noncollege Study Results: Self-Report 
Noncollege Study Results: Standardized Measures 
Noncollege Study Results: Clinical Impressions 
Moderators of Outcomes 
Force Versus Willingness 
Relationship to the Older Person 
Sex of Older Person 
Type of Sexual Activity 
Duration/Repetition of Sexual Contacts 
Age Difference / Age of Older Person 
Age of Boy at Time of Experience 
Secondary Consequences 
Comparison or Males' and Females' Responses 
Self-Report 

DISCUSSION 
Clinical and Nonclinical Findings Differ 
Disturbed Target Population for Clinicians 
Confounding Variables 
Problems in Separating Symptoms From Value Judgments of Harm  
Constantine's (1981) Model of Outcomes 
Future Research 
Summary 

REFERENCES 

INTRODUCTION METHOD RESULTS DISCUSSION

Summary

[Page 105]

Researchers have generally neglected sexual experiences of boys with adults, assumed them to be the same as those of girls, or tried to understand them by referring to clinical research while ignoring nonclinical research. 

A review of nonclinical research allows a more complete understanding of boys' sexual experiences with adults and the outcomes and correlates of those experiences. Research with nonclinical samples reveals a broad range of reactions, with most reactions being either neutral or positive. Clinical samples reveal a narrower, primarily negative, set of reactions. Comparison of the reactions of boys and girls shows that reactions and outcomes for boys are more likely to be neutral or positive. Moderator variables, including presence of force, perceptions of consent, and relationship to the adult, also relate to outcomes. Incestuous contacts and those involving force or threats are most likely to be negative. 

Problems in this field of research include broad and vague definitions of "abuse " and conflation of value judgments with harm. Effects of boys' early sexual experiences with older persons in general cannot be accurately inferred from clinical research alone or from girls' experiences.

KEY WORDS: sexual abuse; males; nonclinical; review.

INTRODUCTION METHOD RESULTS DISCUSSION