The mental health of children and young people has garnered increasing attention within public health initiatives, psychological research, and clinical practice. Young people with more complex presentations are suggested to have significantly worse health and social outcomes than their mainstream counterparts, which are reported to persist and increase in severity across the lifespan. There exists a dearth of attention afforded to some heterogeneous groups, including young people who present with harmful sexual behaviours (HSB). This portfolio contains two papers exploring this group.                        

Part A presents a conceptual review and narrative synthesis of research exploring the conceptualisation of ‘problematic sexual behaviours’ (PSB) of typically developing children and young people within the literature, to assess definitional clarity and consistency. The papers were considered through the lens of Hackett’s (2010) prominent model and continuum of sexual behaviours and this review tells the story of the extent to which current literature aligns with Hackett’s conceptualisation of PSB. The findings raised an important question regarding the sufficiency and utility of a single model, the necessity of a model that is workable and practical and identified implications for researchers, policymakers, legislators, services, and communities.

Part B presents a qualitative paper, exploring how community-based multi-agency and multi-disciplinary professionals make sense of girls (under 18 years) with HSB. The final themes elucidated pertinent individual and societal attitudes and assumptions that may influence professional approaches and responses to this population. Likewise, findings identified theoretical and clinically relevant implications, including for children and young people and their communities, service delivery and professional practice.