A mediational model linking perceptions of security, alexithymia and behavior problems of sexually abused children.

BACKGROUND

Perceptions of security toward parents are related with internalized and externalized problems among victims of child sexual abuse (CSA). Alexithymia, which is difficulty in identifying and expressing feelings, is associated with the quality of parent-child relationships (Oskis et al., 2013) and behavior problems in children (Di Trani et al., 2013).

OBJECTIVE

The current study tested the mediational role of alexithymia in the relationship between perceptions of security toward parents and behavior problems among CSA victims.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD

Using a short-term multi-informant prospective design, 263 victims of CSA aged 6-12 years completed the Kerns Security Scale (Kerns, Klepac, & Cole, 1996), which evaluates perceived attachment security to mothers and fathers. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) at Time 1 to provide baseline scores of behavior problems and again four months later. At Time 2, parents also assessed the children's alexithymia using the Children's Alexithymia Measure (Way et al., 2010).

RESULTS

Perceptions of security were both associated with alexithymia, as well as with internalizing and externalizing problems (p < .05). A mediational model showed that perception of security toward fathers outweighed the mother-child relationship in predicting children's alexithymia. Path analysis revealed that the father-child relationship predicted decreased behavioral problems at Time 2 through a lower level of alexithymia. The model explained 46.9% of internalizing problems and 56.1% of externalizing problems (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the relevance of alexithymia as an intervention target for CSA victims and underscore the importance of the father-child relationship.