Data were collected by means of structured interviews and several psychometric instruments at intake into a treatment outcome study that involved up to 32 weeks of treatment and 2 years of follow-up. Sixty-eight of the caregivers were females and four were males. Forty-seven were biological parents and 25 were foster parents. The child's sexual behavior was defined as problematic if it was (1) repetitive; (2) unresponsive to adult intervention and supervision; (3) equivalent to a criminal violation if performed by an adult; (4) pervasive, occurring across time and situations; or (5) diverse, consisting of a variety of inappropriate sexual behaviors. Results revealed that the caregivers as a group manifested signs of a high level of life stress across a wide array of variables. These variables included income, criminal arrest, domestic assault, sexual abuse, social support, modulation of emotion, and attachment to their child. Foster parents consistently reported significantly lower levels of stress than did biological parents. Findings indicated that parents and families of children with sexual behavior problems appear multiply entrapped. They are highly distressed and somewhat isolated. The data convincingly demonstrate that parents of children with sexual behavior problems must be centrally involved and receive services coordinated with those of their child if the treatment is to have maximum effectiveness. Group treatment may be advisable to promote the formation of a network of peer support for the caregivers of children with sexual behavior problems. Tables and 24 references (Author abstract modified)