Exploring Gender Differences on Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Among Maltreated Youth: Implications for Social Work Action

Abstract

This purpose of this study was to explore the moderating influence of gender on the relationship between child maltreatment and internalizing symptoms (e.g., affective and somatic problems) and externalizing behavior (e.g., rule breaking behavior and aggression) among children aged 7-12 years old. Using a longitudinal comparison group design and a sample of 300 youth of which 56% (n = 168) had substantiated cases of child maltreatment, results of a structural equation modeling revealed that internalizing symptoms exerted a mediating influence that was conditioned by gender. Only girls' internalizing symptoms were found to mediate the link between child maltreatment and externalizing behavior while a direct relationship between maltreatment and externalizing behavior was found among boys. These findings provide evidence for gender differences in the pathways between being child maltreatment and maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Thus, adapting evidence-based strategies that target gender specific internalizing behaviors and externalizing behaviors among maltreated youth may significantly reduce the risk of short and long-term maladaptive behavior.

"Daughter and son: a completely different story”? Gender as a moderator of the relationship between sexism and parental attitudes

“…Also in this context gender is said to be an important differentiating factor. Many clinical and epidemiological studies have been devoted to the problem of frequency of occurrence of developmental and psychiatric disorders and have taken into account the criterion of sex (see Maschi, Morgen, Bradley, & Hatcher, 2008;Eaton et al, 2012;Runions, 2014;Paulus, Backes, Sander, Weber, & Gontard, 2015;Brown, Fite, & Poquiz, 2016).…”

Design, development and validity testing of the gang affiliation risk measure (GARM)

“…The sense of 'going it alone' to survive that Maschi et al (2008) describe in male trauma survivors was as evident in the symptoms this cohort reported (aggressive thoughts, sense of foreshortened future, hypervigilance and violence perpetration) as the internalised ones they denied (fear, avoidance, anxiety and nightmares) and the self-protective style with which this was reported. That internalised symptoms did not discriminate between groups, in this study, may therefore reflect on the gender moderation of PTSD symptomology, and reporting bias in this particular cohort (perhaps to psychologically defend themselves against experiencing or presenting with weakness).…”

Examining Gender Differences in Service Utilization among Children: Nature, Nurture, or Social Network?

“…The literature suggests that boys and girls often manifest different health, mental health, social, and behavior problems (e.g., Abrantes et al 2005; Baron and Campbell 1993;Baillargeon et al 2007;Eschenbeck et al 2007;Maschi et al 2008). For example, official statistics reveal that girls are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse compared to boys who are more likely to be victims of physical assault and neglect (Finkelhor and Ormrod 2000).…”

“…The literature suggests that girls are more likely to seek the help of others, such as family members or friends, when they perceive a problem as compared to boys (Belle et al 1987;Franks and Medforth 2005;Thompson 1999). Girls are more likely to seek help and refer themselves or be referred by family members for services in comparison to boys who are less likely to seek help (Maschi et al 2008, Zwaanswijk et al 2007). …”

“…Studies that have examined single sector service use often show that female youth are overly represented in primary health and mental health sectors of care. In contrast, boys are overly represented in special education, substance abuse, and juvenile justice sectors of care (Garland et al 2001;Maschi et al 2008;Puzzanchera 2009;Snyder and Sickmund 2007). However, most of these studies are based mostly on an examination of a specific biopsychosocial problem, such as a health or mental health diagnosis, in a specific sector of care, such as health or mental health services.…”