Citation

Burton DL, Meezan W. J. Evid. Based Soc. Work (2004) 2004; 1(1): 41-80.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, University of Michigan

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J394v01n01_04

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sexual abuse by adolescent males continues to be a serious public health issue. Recent statistics from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation demonstrate that males under 18 account for 19.7 percent (n = 8,969) of arrests for sexual crimes (not including rape and prostitution) and 16.4 percent (n = 2,312) of rape arrests.�  Research on juvinal sexual assault is not plentiful, but one of the primary etiological assumptions is that sexual aggressivity is a learned behavior.

This article examines social learning theory as a construct that is applicable to adolescent sexual abusers based upon recent published research. Bandura's (1986) work is used to outline the theory and then research on victimization, aggression, criminality, pornography and personality is reviewed to assess the theory as a reasonable fit for adolescent sexually abusive behavior. Research implications are offered that argue for rigorous research methods in the field to allow for further test of this theory.