Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Social Sciences in Psychology.

This study investigated the factors which may be implicated in the aetiology of child and adolescent sexually molestive behaviour. The author suggests that the available literature proposes that psychological, familial, and individual life-history factors are associated. This study examined the individual and family characteristics of 20 sexually enacting children and adolescents, in comparison to a matched clinical sample of 20 non-perpetuating children. The history of sexual abuse as a factor in sexual enacting is examined and theoretical models for the aetiology of child and adolescent sexual enacting behaviour are explored. Some of the findings from this study identify that sexually enacting children and adolescents are significantly more likely to: have been suspected of experiencing sexual abuse that was unable to be confirmed; have experienced more abuse and trauma, particularly physical abuse and verbal violence; have a history of multiple disruptions to attachment with primary adults; and have disrupted, conflicted, and abusive family relationships, and covert family systems. This thesis draws a number of conclusions, including that sexually enacting children display patterns of withdrawal and internalisation when reacting to emotional arousal.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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