Personality traits and parenting styles in boys victims of sexual abuse: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: We examined the association between personality traits and parenting styles in boys victims of sexual abuse (SA). Methods: Sixty-two (62) boys were divided into two groups: 32 (Victims of SA group, age 11.7±1.28) and 30 non-victims of SA (Comparison group, age 11.6±1.22). All participants completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-J) and the Parenting Styles Inventory (PSI). The intelligence quotient (IQ) was also assessed. Results: Both groups did not differ in terms of IQ. In the SA group, men (97%) were the biggest abusers, 85% of the parents were divorced and the father was the biggest aggressor (44%). The SA victims had higher neuroticism (p <0.001) and identified riskier parental practices, while the comparison group reported good parental practices (p<0.05). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that higher negative paternal parental style scores increase the chance of belonging to the victims group. Discussion: Victims of SA present a higher risk of neuroticism and perception of dysfunctional family dynamics, with seriously reversed social roles. Further studies are needed to investigate the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, personality and parental styles, and the development of psychological intervention programs and other professional practices for victims of SA and their families in various contexts of violence.