Sexual abuse (SA) is highly prevalent among detained youth and is associated with a number of deleterious outcomes associated with self-regulation deficits; however, less is known about the consequences of SA for boys. Thus, the current study examined posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and associated symptoms in a sample of detained youth (612 boys, 214 girls). 9.2 % of boys and 51.0 % of girls endorsed SA. There were no gender differences in rates of symptoms endorsed by sexually abused girls and boys; however, sexually abused boys reported higher rates of symptoms in comparison to non-sexually abused boys. Results indicated that, for boys only, there were significant indirect effects of emotion dysregulation (ED), borderline personality features (BP), and dissociation on the association between SA and PTSS. Additionally, there was a significant, indirect effect of BP on the association between SA and delinquent behaviors for both boys and girls.
(Publisher abstract provided.)