Predicting Sexual Behavior Based on Family Emotional Climate and Exposure to the Sexual Environment in Children with and Without Sexual Problems

Background: Children's sexual development and behavior are important aspects of their overall development and education and are a significant concern for parents. These behaviors can lead to harm to children. The emotional climate and sexual environment within a family can influence the development of sexual behaviors. Objectives: This study aimed to predict sexual behavior problems in children, both with and without pre-existing sexual problems, based on their family's emotional climate and exposure to sexual environments. Methods: The present study was an applied and descriptive-correlational study that utilized discriminant analysis as its primary analysis method. The study population consisted of parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 in Ahvaz in 2021. A total of 294 parents were selected for the study using voluntary sampling. The data were collected using the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI), the Family Emotional Atmosphere Scale, and the Family Sexuality Scale (FSS). The data collected were analyzed using discriminant analysis. Results: The study's findings indicate that the emotional climate within a family and exposure to sexual situations within the family, both individually and in combination, can distinguish children who exhibit sexual behavior problems and those who do not. The conventional linear discriminant analysis (LDA) results indicated a significant combined power of the two variables (WL = 0.70; Kappa = 0.49; P = 0.001). The discriminant analysis results were significant for the family emotional climate (WL = 0.79; Kappa = 0.34) and exposure to the family sexual environment (WL = 0.80; Kappa = 0.36; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be argued that the emotional climate within a family and exposure to sexual behavior within the family environment significantly impact the development of problematic sexual behaviors in children.