Comportements sexuels problématiques chez les enfants : l’influence des transgressions des frontières interpersonnelles et de l’adversité familiale à travers les générations.

Problematic sexual behaviours (PSBs) in children are often misunderstood and raise many questions. Children with PSB constitute a particularly heterogenous population, which challenges research as well the elaboration of tailored clinical interventions. While research shows that children's PSBs are greatly influenced by their family environment, some family practises may be linked to various indices of PSB gravity and severity.  These practices include the transgression of sexual, physical and emotional boundaries. Only a few studies have explored the link between inappropriate parental practices, and even fewer have addressed the origins of such practices. The adverse experiences of the parents are important to consider since they can influence the parent’s general ability to provide appropriate care for their children and can potentially influence children’s’ psychosexual development and behaviours. Objectives. The general objective of this study is to better understand the possible association between the transgression of interpersonal boundaries of the family and the manifestation of different levels of PSBs in their children aged 6 to 12 years old, as assessed with a compute of severity indices including the extent, intensity, variety, persistence and level of coercion of PSB. The secondary objective of this study concerns the past and current life experiences of the parents, and aims to better understand the factors associated with the transgressions of sexual, physical and emotional boundaries in their present family environment. Factors assessed in parents include the influence of the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries in their childhood, indices of their present socioeconomic deprivation and their level of psychological distress.  Method. The sample consists of 58 parent-child dyads (M child’s age = 9.36 years; SD = 1.90; 74.1% boys) recruited in the context of a needs assessment prior to psychotherapy for children with PSBs. Bivariate analyses made it possible to compare the characteristics of children exposed to a higher level of transgressions of sexual, physical and emotional boundaries. A hierarchical linear regression model allowed to estimate the influence of various characteristics of the parent with the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries at home. Results. The results revealed that the children living in a family environment where the transgression of interpersonal boundaries was more significant were differentiated by a higher severity compute score of PSB, more externalized behaviours as well as a greater lack of flexibility and stability in their mood. As for the parents, their own exposure to transgressions of interpersonal boundaries in their childhood, socioeconomic deprivation and psychological distress and are all factors associated with the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries. On the other hand, there’s no significant association between the sexual victimization of the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate the relevance of taking into account the transgressions of interpersonal boundaries since they can have an impact of replay within the current family of children with PBSs. The results highlight the importance of taking charge of the parents of children manifesting PSBs since they remain the primary agents of change. Their influence should be taken into account in a model of parent-child interactions that would better represent the complex dynamics of families. Assessing parents' individual variables and several environmental factors may help to better understand intrusive parenting practises as well as violence perpetrated across generations.

Keyphrases: problematic sexual behaviour, PSBs, transgression of interpersonal boundaries, conceptual model, victimization experiences, intergenerational cycle