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Sexual Coping, general coping and cognitive distortions in incarcerated rapists and child molesters
Abstract
Sexual coping, general coping and cognitive distortions were investigated in 25 rapists, 36 child molesters and 25 violent offenders. Rapists did not report more support for rape-supportive distortions than the violent offender comparison group. Child molesters scored higher than the other groups on the measure of molestation-supportive distortions, although mean scores were at the low end of the scale. Consistent with previous research, all offender groups reported ineffective coping styles and child molesters reported using more emotion-oriented coping than the non-sexual offenders. Child molesters but not rapists scored higher than violent offenders on deviant aspects of sexual coping, although mean scores were at the low end of the sub-scales. Evaluation of these comparisons was aided by effect sizes. The effect sizes reveal that there may indeed be differences between rapists and the comparison group with respect to cognitive distortions and sexual coping. Modest correlations were found between deviant sexual coping and cognitive distortions. The findings are interpreted in terms of etiological development and the sexual offence process.
... Differences have been found between nonviolent and violent young adult male incarcerated offenders' coping abilities (Feelgood et al., 2005). Violent offenders often use maladaptive coping strategies, avoidance-coping, and emotion-focused coping, compared to the coping strategies that nonviolent offenders employ (Feelgood et al., 2005;Marshall et al., 1999;Marshall and Fernandez, 2000;Miner, 2000). ...
... Differences have been found between nonviolent and violent young adult male incarcerated offenders' coping abilities (Feelgood et al., 2005). Violent offenders often use maladaptive coping strategies, avoidance-coping, and emotion-focused coping, compared to the coping strategies that nonviolent offenders employ (Feelgood et al., 2005;Marshall et al., 1999;Marshall and Fernandez, 2000;Miner, 2000). Avoidance-coping refers to the disengagement from the stressful event where the aim is to ignore, elude, or extract oneself from the stressor or its emotional response (Baumeister and Bushman, 2018). ...
... Emotion-focused coping, on the other hand, refers to a person's effort to change or minimize negative emotions by suppressing and overcoming the emotional reaction that the stressor causes or by increasing positive emotions (Baker and Berenbaum, 2007;Baumeister and Bushman, 2018). Violent young adult male incarcerated offenders also tend to demonstrate a general predisposition for ineffective coping (Feelgood et al., 2005). Being violent, intimidating, and bullying fellow incarcerated offenders represents young adult male incarcerated offenders' struggles for legitimization and reputation (Camp and Gaes, 2005;Gover et al., 2000). ...
Correctional environments are regarded as degrading, dangerous, difficult, stigmatizing, stressful, unsafe, and violent. Young adult male incarcerated offenders need to acquire the necessary coping skills to survive in the correctional environment. This research study aimed to determine which variable(s) or set of variables explain a significant percentage of the variance in coping among young adult male incarcerated offenders in a South African private maximum-security correctional center. The research approach in this study was quantitative, and the nature of the research was nonexperimental. A correlational research design was used. The sample consisted of 187 young adult male incarcerated offenders. The hierarchical regression analysis results indicated that vigilance was the only predictor variable that statistically and practically significantly predicted seeking social support and problem-solving. This finding implies that young adult offenders who are more vigilant regarding decision-making are more inclined to solve problems better and use social support to cope better.
... Finally, consideration should be given to the composition of maintenance programs when delivered in group format (Feelgood et al., 2005). It was a common concern among participants that those with adult offences and child offences differ in their needs and servicing them together impacted on group cohesiveness and participants' willingness to openly discuss the concerns and struggles experienced in the community. ...
... CMP participants believed the needs and areas of support were distinct (e.g., sexual self-regulation), and this was related to their (re)integration process. Some research has previously highlighted differences between these groups (e.g., Beauregard et al., 2012;Feelgood et al., 2005), however further research is required as this has implications for CMP composition and structure. ...
Although an extensive body of research exists regarding offence-specific interventions for incarcerated men who have sexually offended, research about the programs that are available for these individuals post-release, referred to as Community Maintenance
Programs (CMPs), is scarce. One of the difficulties with CMP implementation for those who have sexually offended has been the lack of a definitive conceptualisation or standardised design and delivery. This research sought to consult with CMP participants and service providers who facilitated an Australian CMP to formulate a working definition and better understanding of CMPs by combining their perceptions with a review of the extant literature regarding the nature of desistance and the factors contributing to behaviour change and its maintenance. The CMP program selected for use in this research is the largest of three CMPs known to be in operation in Australia.
In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with three groups of participants: Study 1 included 13 CMP participants who had not reoffended and 13 CMP participants who had sexually reoffended either during their CMP participation or after completion of the CMP program; and Study 2 included 11 service providers who facilitated the CMP. Using an open ended recursive style of questioning, interviewees were asked about their perceptions regarding the purpose and objectives of CMPs as well as their experience of either facilitating or participating in the program.
Narratives offered by the CMP participants (those with and without reoffence) centred
on themes consistent with desistance theories, behaviour change, and maintenance factors such as hope, identity, social support, employment, and accommodation. There was a strong emphasis on the importance of the Therapeutic Alliance (TA) and the impact of the organisation on the formation and maintenance of the TA. The most notable difference between the two groups of CMP participants was that non-reoffenders wanted to “give back” and felt a sense of competence; they did not identify with the “sex offender” label, and perceived they were able to find a “hook for change”. In contrast, participants who reoffended did not report the same sense of competence, identified with the “sex offender” label, failed to find a “hook for change”, and perceived being in prison as safer than being in the community.
Narratives offered by the service providers revealed that they were unclear about the
underpinnings of the CMP, which was reflected in their understanding of the role being
primarily risk-as opposed to reintegration-focused. They also reported feeling this stemmed from organisational pressure to manage risk, the outcome of which was that it impacted on both how the CMP was delivered and, the manner in which they interacted with CMP participants. This led service providers to the supposition that the TA was less important in a CMP as compared to a treatment program, a perception that differed markedly to the importance placed on the TA by CMP participants.
The findings from this research support the importance of desistance theories,
behaviour change, and maintenance factors during the re-entry and reintegration process.
Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 1985, 2000) emerged as a critical
underpinning in CMPs. The development and maintenance of the TA was found to be
directly impacted by the context within which it takes place. The implications of these
findings for practitioners and researchers are discussed and Transformative Learning Theory (TLT; Mezirow, 1996) is proposed as a framework to guide the development and delivery of CMPs.
... The MOLEST scale has an internal consistency of .97 and a test-retest reliability of .84. The MOLEST scale does not significantly correlate with the MC-SDS and significantly distinguishes child molesters from rapists and non-sexual offenders (e.g., Arkowitz & Vess, 2003;Bumby, 1996;Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2005). 6.3. ...
... In such distressful moments, many exhibit the tendency to use sexuality -whether it involved legal or illegal behaviours -to feel better (Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Serran, Moulden, Firestone, & Marshall, 2007;Marshall, Serran, & Cortoni, 2000). Previous studies have also found that contact sexual offenders are likely to use pornography, and fantasize or masturbate to deviant stimuli during periods of stress, but not during non-stressful periods (Feelgood et al., 2005;Looman, 1995;McKibben, Proulx, & Lusignan, 1994;Proulx, McKibben, & Lusignan, 1996). One study to date indicates that online sexual offenders against children demonstrate more problems with sexual regulation, including sexual coping, than contact sexual offenders against children (Webb, Crassini, & Kreen, 2007). ...
La recherche scientifique ayant porté sur les agresseurs sexuels d’enfants avec contact a mis en lumière l’importance des facteurs cognitifs en lien avec le passage à l’acte délictueux et la récidive sexuelle (p. ex., Helmus, Hanson, Babchishin et Mann, 2013). Les premières recherches portaient sur l’identification des produits cognitifs, aussi nommés distorsions cognitives, des agresseurs sexuels d’enfants, ainsi que sur le développement d’instruments psychométriques pour la mesure des distorsions cognitives (p. ex., l’Échelle de molestation ; Bumby, 1996). Plus récemment, un pan de la recherche a contribué au développement des connaissances sur les structures cognitives (c.-à-d., schémas cognitifs, également nommées théories implicites), lesquelles sont présumées représenter les croyances profondes des délinquants sexuels à propos du monde et de leurs victimes. Ces recherches portent toutefois une attention particulière sur les agresseurs sexuels avec contact, négligeant ainsi d’examiner les individus qui s’engagent dans des délits sexuels en ligne. Les résultats préliminaires des études s’y étant intéressées suggèrent que les cyberdélinquants présenteraient des structures cognitives distinctes de celles agresseurs sexuels avec contact (Bartels et Merdian, 2016), indiquant ainsi la nécessité d’étudier davantage ce construit psychologique auprès de cette population. La présente thèse vise donc à contribuer au développement des cognitions qui soutiennent la cyberdélinquance sexuelle commise envers les enfants.
Cette thèse présente les résultats de trois études distinctes, mais complémentaires, ayant tentées de faire la lumière sur la nature, la mesure et le rôle des cognitions qui soutiennent la cyberdélinquance sexuelle. À partir d’un échantillon de soixante interrogatoires policiers de cyberdélinquants sexuels, une analyse thématique de discours a permis d’identifier huit théories implicites partagées par les consommateurs de matériel d’abus sexuels d’enfants et par les auteurs de leurre d’enfants : 1) les délits sexuels ne causent pas de torts aux enfants ; 2) le monde est incontrôlable ; 3) les enfants sont des êtres sexuels ; 4) le droit d’agir à sa guise ; 5) le monde est dangereux ; 6) les enfants sont des partenaires de vie ; 7) l’univers virtuel n’est pas réel et ; 8) l’internet est incontrôlable. Les résultats issus de cette analyse ont servi de base pour le développement, suivant la Théorie classique des tests et la Théorie de la réponse à l’item, du questionnaire psychométrique intitulé Cognitions sur les crimes sexuels sur l’internet (C-CSI), lequel a été validé auprès d’un échantillon indépendant constitué de 241 délinquants sexuels en ligne et avec contact ainsi qu’auprès de délinquants non sexuels. L’examen de l’échelle a révélé d’excellentes propriétés psychométriques, incluant une vaste gamme d’items représentant un continuum de difficulté à être en faveur des cognitions soutenant la cyberdélinquance sexuelle, en plus d’une bonne capacité à discriminer parmi les sous-groupes de délinquants. La troisième étude visait à examiner l’association de ces cognitions, combinées à la sexualité atypique, l’autorégulation problématique et la perception de l’anonymat, à la cyberdélinquance sexuelle commise envers les enfants. Les résultats révèlent que les cognitions soutenant les comportements sexuels en ligne sont associées à la cyberdélinquance sexuelle, alors que les cognitions soutenant l’agression sexuelle sont associées à la commission de délits sexuels commis avec contact envers les enfants. De plus, les résultats indiquent que les cognitions modèrent la relation entre la préoccupation sexuelle et la cyberdélinquance sexuelle chez les hommes fortement préoccupés par la sexualité.
Les résultats issus de cette thèse ont de nombreuses retombées, tant pour le bénéfice de la recherche scientifique que pour la pratique clinique. D’abord, cette thèse a permis de contribuer à l’avancement des connaissances concernant la nature des cognitions en identifiant les structures cognitives des cyberdélinquants sexuels liées aux délits des consommateurs de matériel d’exploitation sexuelle d’enfants et des auteurs de leurre d’enfants. Ensuite, elle a fourni le premier outil psychométrique spécifiquement validé pour la mesure des cognitions soutenant la cyberdélinquance sexuelle, lequel permettra entre autres, une mesure du changement en contexte thérapeutique. Enfin, une meilleure connaissance cognitions qui supportent la cyberdélinquance sexuelle contribuera à l’élaboration de meilleures cibles de traitement pour les hommes qui s’engagent dans l’exploitation sexuelle des enfants sur l’internet.
... On the one hand, research shows that there are differences in offense-supportive cognitions between people with sexual offenses against adults and children. For instance, Feelgood et al. (2005) found that people convicted of sexual offenses against minors had more offense-supportive cognitions than people convicted of sexual offenses against adults when using the MOLEST scale (a questionnaire produced by Bumby (1996) with items about offensesupportive cognitions related to child sexual abuse). However, they found no significant differences between people with sexual crimes against adults and against minors, when using the RAPE Scale (a questionnaire developed by Bumby (1996) with items on crime-supportive cognitions related to raping an adult woman), although people with sexual crimes against adults scored higher. ...
The main objective of this research is to study the relationships of offense-supportive cognitions and sexual fantasies with sex crime. The research involved 48 men: 26 convicted of sexual offenses against minors and 22 convicted of sexual offenses against adults from different prisons in the Community of Madrid, Spain. We used the RAPE Scale and the Sex With Children Scale to evaluate offense-supportive cognitions and an ad hoc adaptation of the Multidimensional Developmental, Sex and Aggression Inventory to evaluate sexual fantasies with minors and sadomasochistic fantasies. The results show that both groups present similar offense-supportive cognitions, while each group had significantly more sexual fantasies related to their specific crime. Participants who had sexual fantasies about minors presented significantly more offense-supportive cognitions justifying child sexual abuse than those who did not present these fantasies, while participants with sadomasochistic fantasies did not present more offense-supportive cognitions about rape. After collecting this information, we ran four mediation models to assess potential relationships between fantasies, offense-supportive cognitions, and specific sexual crime. The mediation models showed that both sexual fantasies with minors and sadomasochistic fantasies had direct relationships with sex crimes. Upon further confirmation with studies with larger sample sizes, our findings support the importance of dealing with sexual fantasies in treatment of people convicted of sexual offenses and imply a need for differentiated treatment, since the content of sexual fantasies was different in each group.
... Perhaps this indicates that MPQ NEM and CISS Emotional coping actually (at least partially) measure the same concept. Feelgood et al. (2005) found that persons convicted of a sexual offence showed more emotional coping than persons convicted of a non-sexual offence and suggested that a predisposition to ineffective coping could result in a repetitive cycle involving stressors, ineffective coping mechanisms, heightened negative emotional states, and additional issues such as repeated delinquent behaviour. This is similar to the proposition of Martinez et al. (2021), except for a focus on emotion as opposed to avoidance. ...
Negative emotionality has been consistently linked to an increased risk of sexual offending. Ninety-one Dutch males treated in outpatient forensic psychiatry for sexually transgressive behaviour were studied on self-reported negative emotionality, coping and sexual coping, and therapist assessed corresponding dynamic risk factors. Outpatients reported more prevalence of high negative emotionality than therapists. Correlation analyses showed, amongst others, a significant positive association between emotional coping and all subscales of negative emotionality: stress (strong), aggression (weak) and alienation (weak). Furthermore, regression analyses revealed that self-reported stress was a significant predictor of several types of self-reported coping (task, emotional, avoidant, and sexual consent and molest) and assessed sexual coping. Additionally, self-reported aggression predicted consent and rape-themed sexual coping. These results indicate a nuanced relationship between different aspects of negative emotionality and coping mechanisms, underscoring the relevance of careful consideration tailored to characteristics of the patient involved when addressed in forensic treatment. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The observed associations between (aspects of) negative emotionality and coping, promote the use of patient-tailored emotion regulation interventions in the forensic treatment of outpatients with sexually transgressive behaviour. Moreover, self-report appears to provide useful additional information for further tailoring therapy. ARTICLE HISTORY
... Based on previous research, CDs about child sexual abuse are more common in perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA) than in other groups of individuals with other sexual convictions (Boillat et al., 2017;Feelgood et al., 2005;Katsuta & Hazama, 2016;Merdian et al., 2014;Petruccelli et al., 2022). Besides, CDs are a key feature in the etiology of child sexual abuse (Marshall & Barbaree, 1990;Ward & Beech, 2006) and a common intervention target in cognitive-behavioral treatment programs (Gannon et al., 2019;Sousa et al., 2022). ...
Cognitive distortions (CDs) are a crucial element in the etiology of child sexual offending, with most of the intervention programs targeting them to reduce the risk of sexual recidivism in perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers have developed the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) to assess CDs. With a total sample of 256 participants, the Portuguese version of the HSAQ revealed a two-factor structure. The HSAQ subscales demonstrated good to acceptable psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, as well as discriminant validity. One of the subscales also demonstrated convergent validity. Additionally, the two subscales exhibited differences between perpetrators of CSA with and without previous interventions, indicating known-groups validity. Overall, our findings partially support the use of the HSAQ in the forensic Portuguese population, underscoring its significance for clinical and research purposes. Nevertheless, particular caution is advised, especially regarding factor two.
... In parallel with these studies, which found a positive association between certain personality traits (schizoid, avoidant) and negative affective states (loneliness, anxiety, humiliation, anger) on the one hand, and the development of paraphilic sexual fantasies on the other, some researchers (e.g., Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Feelgood et al., 2005;Looman, 1995;Marshall et al., 1999;Neidigh & Tomiko, 1991;Ward et al., 2006;Ward & Hudson, 2000) have hypothesized that sexuality (e.g., paraphilic sexual fantasies) serves to regulate negative affect in men who commit sexual aggression. This hypothesis is, for example, one of the premises of Ward et al.'s (2006) Self-Regulation Model (SRM). ...
Several researchers have found that men who have committed sexual aggression have inadequate coping strategies (e.g., paraphilic sexual fantasies, substance abuse). However, very few researchers have empirically examined the factors potentially associated with the development of these strategies. In 2011, Maniglio hypothesized that the inadequate coping strategies of men who have committed sexual aggression are the result of childhood victimization, mediated by internalized psychological problems. The present study therefore empirically tested this hypothesis in a Canadian sample of 205 men who had committed sexual aggression against women, of whom 37 committed sexual murder. Structural equation modeling (SEM) resulted in the identification of several direct and indirect trajectories leading from childhood victimization (psy-chological, physical, sexual) to the development of inadequate coping strategies (paraphilic sexual fantasies, alcohol and drug use) mediated by internalized psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, social isolation). The theoretical and clinical implications of these developmental trajectories are discussed.
... Concerning analyzing the results obtained, we verified the associations between sexual attitudes and cognitive distortions. We anticipated the existence of significant correlations between variables, given the conceptual proximity between the two constructs (Feelgood, Cortoni & Thompson, 2005;Ward, Gannon, and Keown, 2006;Geiger & Fischer, 2017). Although authors such as Marshall and Barbaree (1990) refer to impersonal sex as an element present in several individuals who have committed sexual offenses, in our results, the correspondent to this subscale did not present significant correlations, similar to sexual responsibility. ...
This research aims to present additional knowledge about indi- viduals with a history of sexual offenses against children in Portugal. Although the international literature mentions the presence of cognitive distortions as a common element for child sexual offending, it is known that another cognitive path- way developed since childhood and adolescence will have a significant weight in the definition of disruptive sexual beha- viors. In this article, we focused on sexual attitudes and sex as a strategy for sexual coping and assayed to appreciate the relevance of these variables as predictors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). This research mainly aims to analyze a hierarchical and predictive model of these variables and cog- nitive distortion in the CSA. With resources to Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), we conclude that these variables, when asso- ciated, have a predictive accuracy of 82.3% in a sample that included individuals with a history of sexual offenses against children (N = 59) and the general community (N = 82). New future approaches can benefit from integrating coping strate- gies and sexual attitudes into CSA, adapted to the Portuguese context.
... En conclusión, los penados por violencia de género afrontan los problemas y situaciones estresantes propicias para la violencia de género por medio de estrategias de afrontamiento desadaptativas (Feelgood, Cortoni, y Thompson, 2005), que son propias de incompetencia social y vinculadas con comportamientos antisociales y delictivos, por medio de la pérdida de control emocional que siguen a la evitación ( ...
... In such difficult moments, many exhibit the tendency to use sexuality-whether it involved legal or illegal behaviors-to feel better (Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Marshall, Serran, & Cortoni, 2000;Serran, Moulden, Firestone, & Marshall, 2007). Previous studies have also found that men with contact sexual offences are likely to use pornography, and fantasize or masturbate to atypical sexual stimuli during periods of stress, but not during non-stressful periods (Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2005;Looman, 1995;McKibben, Proulx, & Lusignan, 1994;Proulx, McKibben, & Lusignan, 1996). One study indicated that CSEM users demonstrate more problems with sexual regulation, including sexual coping, than men who sexually offend against children (Webb, Crassini, & Kreen, 2007). ...
... In such difficult moments, many exhibit the tendency to use sexuality-whether it involved legal or illegal behaviors-to feel better (Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Marshall, Serran, & Cortoni, 2000;Serran, Moulden, Firestone, & Marshall, 2007). Previous studies have also found that men with contact sexual offences are likely to use pornography, and fantasize or masturbate to atypical sexual stimuli during periods of stress, but not during non-stressful periods (Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2005;Looman, 1995;McKibben, Proulx, & Lusignan, 1994;Proulx, McKibben, & Lusignan, 1996). One study indicated that CSEM users demonstrate more problems with sexual regulation, including sexual coping, than men who sexually offend against children (Webb, Crassini, & Kreen, 2007). ...
... Research suggests that those who have sexually offended tend to employ maladaptive (usually avoidant) coping strategies when under stress and are more likely to use sex as a coping mechanism (Feelgood et al., 2007;Maniglio, 2011;Moulden & Marshall, 2009). Learning to adopt and maintain more appropriate coping strategies is paramount in sustaining adaptive changes. ...
The challenges faced by those who are returning to the community after prison are well documented. Community re-entry, especially for those who have sexually offended, is particularly stressful and fraught with many difficulties. Community maintenance programmes (CMPs) are described as community programmes designed to assist those who are released from prison, who have generally completed an offence-specific custodial treatment programme. There remains however no known published research that has examined the programmatic features of CMPs, their efficacy, the experiences of those who facilitate and participate in CMPs, and little is known about the theoretical underpinnings of CMPs. This paper reviews some of the factors that may contribute to behaviour change and the maintenance of that change, with a particular focus on
CMPs for those who have sexually offended. Stemming from two recent qualitative studies interviewing CMP participants and service providers in Australia’s largest CMP, this paper proposes Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as an underpinning for CMPs. There will also be a consideration of implications for practice as well as future research.
... These become important questions given the extant literature on individuals who engage in problematic sexual behaviour and sex as coping. This research shows emotion-focused coping, and sexualized coping specifically, among those who sexually abuse children [4,5]. Therefore, given emergent findings on changes in atypical sexual behaviour related to the pandemic, we must question the role that coping may play. ...
... Consideration should be given to the composition of maintenance programs when delivered in group format (Feelgood et al., 2005). It was a common concern among participants that those with adult offenses and child offenses differ in their needs and servicing them together impacted on group cohesiveness and participants' willingness to openly discuss the concerns and struggles experienced in the community. ...
Although it seems community maintenance programs (CMPs) can play an important role in the desistance journey for those who have committed a sexual offence and there is increased recognition of the various factors that can impact behaviour change, there remains a paucity of research that considers the lived experience of those who have participated in CMPs. The primary aim of this study was to solicit views from a group of individuals who had participated in a CMP post-release to develop an understanding of CMPs in terms of its significance in the transition from prison to community reintegration. Thirteen men who participated in an Australian CMP and did not reoffend and thirteen men who participated and went on to reoffend sexually were interviewed about their perceptions and experiences of the CMP. The results for the two groups are outlined as well as implications for practice and future research.
... The second group with the most significant expression is represented by Cluster 1, where we find characteristics of aggression described by authors such as Regressed (Groth & Birnbaum, 1978;Lehmann et al., 2014;Soeiro, 2009;Terry & Tallon, 2004). These individuals tend to have deficits in coping strategies (Feelgood, Cortoni & Thompson, 2005), easy access to victims, and use the child to substitute for sexual contact with adults (Lanning, 1984;Lanning, 2010). ...
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is not a recent phenomenon. However, it increased visibility in Portugal in 2002, when a news piece raised suspicions about numerous public figures. Since then, there has been an upward trend in complaints and has stabilized in recent years. Nevertheless, even though the research emerging, it presents gaps in the characteristics and modus operandi of the child sex offenders in the Portuguese context.
This article presents an exploratory study, where 66 case reports of inmates in Portugal (Lisbon District) were convicted for CSA crimes recorded in the last ten years.
We used the Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Cluster Analysis as statistical procedures, focusing on the dynamics of the offense, context, number of victims, relationship, and characteristics of the offense. With this analysis, we identified four distinct profiles, which occurs with both techniques. In addition, we found differences regarding the use of aggressivity and/or treating during or after the offense, nature of abuse and introduced the crime admission as an active variable, with contributions to the model definition. According to these results and international literature, we defined our groups in four types: Regressed, Indiscriminate, Inadequate, and Violent.
We discuss our results based on the international models and demonstrate affinities with them.
... In an early study by Henn et al. (1976), ISOAs displayed a more general antisocial lifestyle with a greater variety of different offenses during their lifespan, whereas ISOCs were more specialized in sexual offending. Other, more recent studies, also found higher rates of general and violent (re)offending in ISOAs compared to ISOCs (Feelgood et al., 2005;Harris et al., 2011;Lussier, 2005;Lussier et al., 2005;Olver & Wong, 2006;Rettenberger et al., 2015). The higher rates of general antisocial behavior and violent offending in ISOAs are in line with findings on elevated levels of aggressiveness (Marshall et al., 1995;Shechory & Ben-David, 2005) and psychopathic personality traits (Jackson & Richards, 2007;Olver & Wong, 2006;Porter et al., 2000Porter et al., , 2009Rice & knight, 2019). ...
Individuals who sexually offended against both children and adults might be particularly dangerous. However, studies on this group are rare due to methodological difficulties. We investigated adverse childhood experiences, criminological variables, and other characteristics as well as recidivism in individuals who sexually offended against mixed-aged victims (ISOMAVs) compared to individuals who exclusively offended against adults (ISOAs) or children (ISOCs). Compared to previous studies, we applied more stringent classification criteria by including only individuals with at least two past sexual offenses. Analyses revealed that ISOMAVs more often had an extensive history of sexual offending. In addition, they were more likely than ISOAs to assault males, and more likely than ISOCs to assault strangers. Violent reoffending was more common in ISOMAVs compared to ISOCs, but ISOMAVs showed no more sexual recidivism. Other findings, limitations, and implications for research and practice are discussed.
... Prácticamente, las mismas diferencias son observadas en los menores infractores (i.e., buscar pertenencia, reducir la tensión, acción social, ignorar el problema, reservar los problemas para sí, búsqueda de apoyo espiritual, de ayuda profesional y diversiones, y distracción física). Sucintamente, los menores de protección e infractores recurren más a estrategias desadaptativas (Feelgood, Cortoni & Thompson, 2005) caracterizadas por el afrontamiento de los problemas con estrategias de huida de los mismos (e.g., reducción de la tensión, búsqueda de diversiones, autoinculparse, falta de afrontamiento, ignorar el problema, distracción física, búsqueda de diversiones relajantes) y de búsqueda de refuerzo externo con fuente inadecuada, tal como el grupo de iguales (Cutrín et al., 2019) (e. g., búsqueda de pertenencia, apoyo espiritual y profesional, acción social). De este modo, se confirma la hipótesis 2: los menores de protección y reforma se caracterizan por un déficit en el afrontamiento de eventos estresantes basado en estrategias desadaptativas. ...
A field study was designed with the aim of knowing if deficits in cognitive skills a common characteristic of the juvenile offenders and protection youngsters are i.e., children under social services protection (in risk of deviation), and a differential from normalized population. As for these 450 Colombian youngsters (150 juvenile offenders, 150 protection youngsters, and 150 from the normal population), aged from 14 to 19 years, were assessed in emotional intelligence, coping, responsivity attribution, and self-concept. The results showed that juvenile offenders and youngsters under protection had deficit in attention to the emotions (emotional intelligence), used more maladaptive strategies for problems solving, and shared a negative definition of their selves, were less satisfied with their sleeves and with their behaviour. Nonetheless, the expected bias to external responsivity attribution was not observed. Finally, the magnitude of the damages in cognitive skills was quantified. The implications of the results for the intervention with juvenile offenders and the design and implementation of prevention programs with protection youngsters are discussed.
... In such difficult moments, many exhibit the tendency to use sexuality -whether it involved legal or illegal behaviours -to feel better (Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Serran et al., 2007;Marshall et al., 2000). Previous studies have also found that men with contact sexual offences are likely to use pornography, and fantasize or masturbate to atypical sexual stimuli during periods of stress, but not during nonstressful periods (Feelgood et al., 2005;Looman, 1995;McKibben et al., 1994;Proulx et al., 1996). One study indicates that CSEM users demonstrate more problems with sexual regulation, including sexual coping, than men who sexually offend against children (Webb, Crassini, & Kreen, 2007). ...
Cognitions that support sexual offending, atypical sexuality, and problems with self-regulation are important indicators of offending among men who engage in contact sexual offences against children (e.g., Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2005). While sexual interest in children – a major indicator of atypical sexuality – has been identified as a risk factor for online sexual offending against children (Seto & Eke, 2015), several other indicators, such as offence-supportive cognitions, sexual preoccupation, sexual coping, and perceived anonymity – a presumed risk factor for online sexual offending – have not yet been investigated among men who use the internet to solicit children or to consume child sexual exploitation material. This study investigated the associations between offence-supportive cognitions, atypical sexuality, self-regulation using sex, and perceived anonymity with sexual offending behaviors against children in a sample of 241 men convicted of various sexual and non-sexual offences. Results from logistic regressions show that offence-supportive cognitions, sexual interests in children, and sexual coping, but not sexual preoccupation and perceived anonymity, are associated with either or both online and contact sexual offending behaviors against children. Our results support the prior finding showing that men with online sexual offenses are more paraphilic or sexually preoccupied then men with only contact offenses against children. They also suggest that offence-supportive cognitions, atypical sexual interests, and sexual coping may be motivating factors, and therefore relevant risk factors, for online sexual offending against children.
... Perhaps they rely primarily on seeking emotional support and advice as they utilized active problem solving skills to a lesser degree than their BDSM peers not using play as a strategy. As such, a subgroup of BDSM participants may use BDSM interaction as a coping mechanism, in the absence of alternative strategies, much like how some individuals will use sexual interactions as a distraction from pressing mundane problems (Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2007;Jung & Jamieson, 2014). Additionally, these findings may indicate the possible therapeutic use of BDSM by some participants (Lindemann, 2011). ...
Despite the gaining popularity in mainstream media of the phenomenon that is BDSM, empirical research on the motives and underlying psychological mechanisms driving BDSM practitioners is scarce. The current study focused on the potential driving roles of sensation seeking and coping styles in BDSM-related interests and behavior. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was completed by 256 Dutch-speaking BDSM practitioners (110 men, 135 women, 7 gender fluid, 2 genderless, 1 other not specified), 1 missing (this participant did not answer the question regarding gender, but did answer all other survey items) and a matched control group lacking any BDSM interest recruited from the general Belgian population (N = 300; 135 men, 158 women, 4 gender fluid, 3 genderless). The questionnaire consisted of several items surveying different BDSM identities and interest levels of BDSM-related activities, an adapted version of the Dutch Sensation Seeking Scale, and items querying seven coping styles. Compared to controls, BDSM practitioners reported significantly higher levels of sensation seeking for all dimensions (experience seeking, thrill seeking, and distraction seeking), as well as the use of more active coping skills such as problem solving and taking action. Gender differentiated which specific coping skills were being used with women seeking out more emotional support and comfort and reaching out more for help and advice in both the BDSM and control group, and men taking more action and seeking distraction in leisure. About 40% of the practitioners reported using BDSM itself as a coping strategy. Further research is needed to explore the link between coping and sexuality in general, and to other psychological processes that drive BDSM interests in order to destigmatize and normalize consensual BDSM-related activities within the general population.
... They thereby possibly rely primarily on seeking emotional support and advice as they utilized active problem solving skills to a lesser degree than their BDSM peers not using play as a strategy. As such, a subgroup of BDSM participants may use BDSM interaction as a coping mechanism, in the absence of alternative strategies, much like how some individuals will use sexual interactions as a distraction from pressing mundane problems (Feelgood, Cortoni & Thompson, 2007;Jung & Jamieson, 2014). Additionally, these findings may indicate the possible therapeutic use of BDSM by some participants (Lindemann, 2011). ...
Despite the gaining popularity in mainstream media of the phenomenon that is BDSM, empirical research on the motives and underlying psychological mechanisms driving BDSM-practitioners is scarce. The current study focused on the potential driving roles of sensation seeking and coping styles in BDSM-related interests and behavior. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was completed by 256 BDSM practitioners (110 males, 135 women, 7 gender fluid, 2 genderless) and a matched control group lacking any BDSM interest recruited from the general Belgian population (N = 300; 135 males, 158 women, 4 gender fluid, 3 genderless). The questionnaire consisted of several items surveying different BDSM identities and interest levels of BDSM-related activities, an adapted version of the Dutch Sensation Seeking Scale and items querying seven coping styles. Compared to controls, BDSM practitioners reported significantly higher levels of sensation seeking, for all dimensions (experience seeking, thrill seeking and distraction seeking), as well as the use of more active coping skills such as problem solving and taking action. Gender differentiated which specific coping skills were being used with women seeking out more emotional support and comfort and reaching out more for help and advice in both the BDSM and control group, and men taking more action and seeking distraction in leisure. About 40% of the practitioners reported using BDSM itself as a coping strategy. Further research is needed to explore the link between coping and sexuality in general, and to other psychological processes that drive BDSM interests in order to destigmatize and normalize consensual BDSM-related activities within the general population.
... In the current sample, internal consistency ranged from .81 to .95. Past research has provided validity evidence for the CUSI, finding that men with child victims scored higher on CUSI-child scale compared with men with adult victims and those with nonsexual offenses and finding that men with either child or adults victims scored higher on the CUSI-rape and CUSI-consent scales compared with men with nonsexual offenses (Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2007). ...
Emotional congruence with children is central in understanding why some adults pursue sexual contact with children. While self-report scales have been developed to assess for emotional congruence with children, these scales have equivocal latent structure and less than desirable performance in validation research. Further, these scales were not developed to assess emotional congruence with children in individuals that commit internet-facilitated offenses. In the current study, a sample of men with histories of internet-facilitated sexual offenses, contact sexual offenses against children, and non-sexual offenses was used to examine factor structure, internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and known-group validity of the newly developed Cognitive and Emotional Congruence with Children (C–ECWC) scale. The scale had a three-factor latent structure, adequate internal consistency, and adequately captured the nomological network of correlates and group differences anticipated for a measure of emotional congruence with children. Implications for scale validation and use in future research into emotional congruence with children are discussed.
... The MOLEST scale has an internal consistency of .97 and a test-retest reliability of .84. The MOLEST scale does not significantly correlate with the MC-SDS and significantly distinguishes men with contact offenses against children from those with adult victims and nonsexual offenses (e.g., Arkowitz & Vess, 2003;Bumby, 1996;Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2005). ...
Tools designed to measure the cognitions of individuals who engage in sexual activities with children over the Internet are either based on knowledge about men who had committed contact sexual offenses or cognitive phenomena not specifically associated to offending behaviors. Thus, there is no validated tool specifically designed to assess the offense-supportive cognitions of men who use the Internet to sexually offend children. This study developed and validated the Cognitions of Internet Sexual Offending (C-ISO) scale. A sample of 241 men with online and contact sexual as well as with nonsexual offenses completed the C-ISO scale and its psychometric properties, and latent structure was analyzed using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT), resulting in a final version containing 31 items. The analyses indicate that the C-ISO has excellent psychometric properties and discriminates men with online sexual offenses from those with contact sexual and nonsexual offenses. Implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
... Da alcune ricerche effettuate è emerso come i pedofili offending (child molesters) utilizzino maggiormente, rispetto alla popolazione generale, uno stile di coping inefficace per superare le situazioni difficili; in particolare, questi soggetti sembrano reagire allo stress dando la colpa a loro stessi, preoccupandosi e fantasticando, dinamiche caratteristiche di un coping centrato sulle emozioni. (Feelgood, Cortoni & Thompson, 2005;Serran & Marshall, 2006). È stato inoltre notato che gli stati emotivi negativi, intesi come conseguenze di fattori situazionali (ad esempio la perdita del lavoro) o come sentimenti negativi (ad esempio depressione o ansia), sono spesso presenti prima che si verifichi una violenza sessuale su un bambino (Marshall, Laws & Barbaree, 1990-citato da Cortoni & Marshall, 2001) e sono associati a maggiori fantasie sessuali su minori (Looman, 1995). ...
... Rapists and pedophiles did not differ in terms of coping strategies involving rape themes [32]. Sex-related strategy correlates with the emotion-focused avoidance-focused coping style [33]. ...
Aim. The aim of the study was to examine the differences between groups of prison inmates distinguished according to the sense of quality of life in terms of their ways of coping with stress.
Methods. In order to verify the research hypotheses, the following instruments were used:
(1) The sense of quality of life Questionnaire (SQLQ) by M. Straś-Romanowska (2007) and
(2) the COPE Inventory by Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989).
Results. The results of the presented research have confirmed that the ways of coping with stress used by prison inmates are related to the sense of quality of life. This conclusion applies not only to overall sense of quality of life but also to all of its dimensions: psychophysical, psychosocial, personal, and metaphysical one. According to the assumed hypothesis, people with a high level of overall quality of life significantly more often than people with a low level of quality of life prefer active coping strategies, including strategies such as: Active coping, Planning, Searching for instrumental support, Searching for emotional support, Positive revaluation and development. A similar conclusion with minor modifications also applies to other dimensions of quality of life
Conclusions. Thus, the use of constructive ways of coping with stress – based on seeking
support, personal activity in coping with problems and drawing conclusions from wrong life decisions – is related to higher level of quality of life.
... Gwałciciele i pedofile nie różnili się w zakresie strategii radzenia sobie, w której obecny był element związany z tematyką gwałtu [32]. Seksualnie zorientowana strategia koreluje ze stylem radzenia sobie skoncentrowanym na emocjach oraz na unikaniu [33]. ...
Aim. The aim of the study was to examine the differences between groups of prison inmates distinguished according to the sense of quality of life in terms of their ways of coping with stress. Methods. In order to verify the research hypotheses, the following instruments were used: (1) The sense of quality of life Questionnaire (SQLQ) by M. Straś-Romanowska (2007) and (2) the COPE Inventory by Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989). Results. The results of the presented research have confirmed that the ways of coping with stress used by prison inmates are related to the sense of quality of life. This conclusion applies not only to overall sense of quality of life but also to all of its dimensions: psychophysical, psychosocial, personal, and metaphysical one. According to the assumed hypothesis, people with a high level of overall quality of life significantly more often than people with a low level of quality of life prefer active coping strategies, including strategies such as: Active coping , Planning, Searching for instrumental support, Searching for emotional support, Positive revaluation and development. A similar conclusion with minor modifications also applies to other dimensions of quality of life Conclusions. Thus, the use of constructive ways of coping with stress-based on seeking support, personal activity in coping with problems and drawing conclusions from wrong life decisions-is related to higher level of quality of life. Słowa klucze: radzenie sobie ze stresem, poczucie jakości życia, więźniowie
... Por otra parte, en cuanto a las aproximativas, en relación a la población general hacen menos uso del análisis lógico. En suma, los penados utilizan estrategias desadaptativas (evitativas) en la resolución de problemas, en detrimento de las adaptativas (aproximativas) (Feelgood, Cortoni y Thompson, 2005). ...
Note: An english extended summary is avaliable at the end of the article (1,600 words).
Aunque la literatura ha abordado ampliamente el estudio de la prisionización, el análisis de los efectos de las variables criminológicas en la adaptación a prisión y del estatus social en prisión, y de éstas en el ajuste psicológico y las destrezas cognitivas que emplean los internos no ha sido suficientemente trabajado. Para conocer de ello, evaluamos en variables criminológicas, adaptación a prisión, estatus social en prisión, ajuste psicológico y destrezas cognitivas a una muestra de 112 internos varones en cumplimiento de una pena privativa de libertad de una prisión portuguesa, con edades entre 23 y 74 años (M = 40.40, DT = 1.04), 77 (68.8 %) con antecedentes penales (reincidentes). Los resultados revelaron que las variables criminológicas (e.g., problemas en la familia) estaban relacionados con niveles más bajos de adaptación a la prisión. Además, los internos presentaban peor ajuste psicológico que la población general, y los reincidentes que los primarios. Asimismo, también pusieron de manifiesto que los internos se caracterizaban en la resolución de problemas por recurrir a estrategias de afron-tamiento evitativas (i.e., Evitación cognitiva, Aceptación o Resignación, Búsqueda de recompensas alternativas, Descarga emocional), en detrimento de las aproximativas
(i.e., Análisis lógico). Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para el diseño de programas de intervención dentro de prisión y la preparación para la vida en libertad
(i.e., tercer grado).
... Most commonly, they have been divided into those who focus on child victims (child sex offense victims [CSOVs]) and those whose victims are age appropriate or adults (adult sex offense victims [ASOVs]). These typological distinctions or comparisons between these types haves generated a significant amount of empirical scrutiny (e.g., Bard et al., 1987;Feelgood, Cortoni, & Thompson, 2005;Hamdi & Knight, 2012). In contrast, individuals who have sexually assaulted both child and adult victims (mixed aged sexual offense victims [MASOVs]) have not attracted significant research attention. ...
Although adults who have sexually offended against both child and adult victims (i.e., adults with mixed aged sexual offense victims [MASOVs]) have been found at increased risk to reoffend, they have been a neglected and rarely studied group of individuals who have sexually offended. The present study explored their differentiating characteristics by comparing them with adults who had sexually offended exclusively against children (child sex offense victims [CSOVs]) or adults (adult sex offense victims [ASOVs]). Using an extensive database gathered on offenders examined for civil commitment, we found that although MASOVs were not distinguished from the other types of offenders by any specific developmental trauma, they cumulatively tended to be higher across traumas. They evidenced lower self-esteem relative to both other offender types. In addition, MASOVs, like ASOVs, exhibited higher levels of psychopathy relative to CSOVs. The implications of these findings for etiology and treatment are discussed.
... De este modo, deberían ofrecerse servicios e intervenciones adecuadas de salud mental en los centros penitenciarios. Por otro lado, la muestra de condenados se caracteriza por acudir a estrategias de afrontamiento evitativas, que la literatura tiende a calificar de desadaptativas y que ha identificado como un factor de riesgo del comportamiento antisocial (Feelgood, Cortoni y Thompson, 2005). En consecuencia, deberían implementarse programas de intervención multi-modales dirigidos a mitigar el uso de estrategias evitativas y fomentar las aproximtaivas (Beelmann y Lösel, 2006), con el fin de favorecer la reinserción social del recluso. ...
Note: An english extended summary is avaliable at the end of the article (1,600 words).
Con el objetivo de conocer el ajuste psicológico (sintomatología y diagnóstico clínico) y las destrezas para la resolución de problemas (afrontamiento) en una población de homicidas, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio en el que se contrastaron ambos factores entre una muestra de condenados por homicidio o tentativa de homicidio, con la población normativa. Participaron en el estudio 27 hombres internos en el Centro Penitenciario de Oporto (Portugal), con una edad promedio de 38.63 años. Para la medida del ajuste psicológico se acudió al SCL-90-R, mientras que el afrontamiento fue evaluado mediante el CRI-A. Los resultados revelaron que los reclusos mostraban una probabilidad superior de ser clasificados como casos clínicos en las dimensiones clínicas del SCL-90-R, a excepción de Hostilidad, así como puntuaciones significativamente más elevadas en las dimensiones clínicas a excepción de Hostilidad y Ansiedad Fóbica, y en los tres índices globales (i.e., GSI, PST, PSDI). Además, la muestra de condenados se caracterizaba por acudir a estrategias de afrontamiento evitativas, que son reconocidas como formas desadaptativas o improductivas. Asimismo, del estudio de las características delictivas se verificó que la mayoría de los acusados guardaban algún tipo de relación previa con la víctima, y que la muestra homicida se caracterizaba por versatilidad delictiva y tendencia a la reincidencia. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la práctica profesional en el contexto penitenciario.
... For example, for some youth, feelings of inadequacy may lead to lowered self-worth and/or low self-esteem (Olivardia et al. 2004). Other youth who experience feelings of inadequacy may develop unrealistically inflated views of the self, which can lead to destructive interpersonal interactions including sexually coercive attitudes and behaviors (Hill and Fischer 2001;Schwartz and Tylka 2008), which are used to rationalize expressions of dominance and masculinity (Feelgood et al. 2005;Ward et al. 2006). Accordingly, findings from this study suggest that adolescent males adjudicated for sexual crimes had more severe body disapproval issues when compared to their peers adjudicated for nonsexual crimes. ...
This study explores the complex relationships between risk factors (i.e., body disapproval, substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and exposure to pornography) and eating disordered behaviors (EDB) among male youth adjudicated for sexual and nonsexual crimes in the USA. This study used cross-sectional design. Survey data were collected from 800 adjudicated male youth. EDB and risk factors were measured using the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Path analysis within a structural equation model (SEM) was used to investigate the mediated effects of body disapproval on relationships between risk factors and EDB. Results revealed that body disapproval, substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and pornography exposure were significantly related to EDB. Body disapproval mediated the effects of substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and pornography exposure on EDB among all adjudicated male youth. Findings suggested that body disapproval maybe an important link in the effects of early risk factors on EDB.
... Moreover, follow-up research comparing coping mechanisms (measured with the CISS-SF20) between outpatient sex offenders and the general population is recommended in future research to distinguish between (maladaptive) coping mechanisms among sex offenders, and to effectively target maladaptive coping strategies in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Previous studies assessing problem-solving styles in sex offenders using various instruments found that in particular child molesters, one-third of the current sample, engaged (predominantly) in emotion-oriented problem-solving behaviors (Feelgood et al., 2005;Looman et al., 2004). The primary goal of every forensic treatment is to reduce the risk of relapse into criminal behavior. ...
Inadequate problem solving is associated with recidivism in sex offenders. However, the psychometric properties of two of the most widely used coping self-report questionnaires, the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, have not been established for outpatient sex offenders. Using structural equation modeling, the present study aims to contribute to an empirically based decision as to which version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations or Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised is best suited to use with forensic outpatient sex offenders. The sample consisted of 530 Dutch sex offenders treated in an outpatient forensic facility. Results support the use of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations-Short Form 20 for identifying problem-solving deficits among outpatient sex offenders, consequently facilitating the assessment of treatment needs.
... En conclusión, los penados por violencia de género afrontan los problemas y situaciones estresantes propicias para la violencia de género por medio de estrategias de afrontamiento desadaptativas (Feelgood, Cortoni, y Thompson, 2005), que son propias de incompetencia social y vinculadas con comportamientos antisociales y delictivos, por medio de la pérdida de control emocional que siguen a la evitación (Arce, Fariña, y Avances en Ciencias de la Educación y del Desarrollo, 2014 ISBN: 978-84-608-4165-4 1235 Vázquez, 2011). Por el contrario, la población normativa recurre a estrategias adaptativas de afrontamiento, esto es, más competentes socialmente. ...
Resumen La competencia socio-cognitiva se describe por la capacidad del individuo para usar los recursos personales y ambientales, facilitadores de comportamientos normalizados. Así, aunque no contamos con una taxonomía consensuada de qué destrezas la definen, existe acuerdo en señalar que la competencia cognitiva se compone, entre otras, de la capacidad de resolución de problemas. En este sentido, se señala que el nivel de competencia cognitiva se relaciona con el grado de comportamiento antisocial y delictivo. Así, estamos interesados en conocer cuáles son las estrategias de afrontamiento que emplean los penados por violencia de género en fase de ingreso penitenciario, en contextos estresantes y propicios para la violencia de género. Para ello, efectuamos un estudio de campo en el que fueron evaluados un total de 250 condenados por violencia de género, al ingreso en el programa de tratamiento penitenciario. Los resultados obtenidos revelan que los penados por violencia de género afrontan los problemas y situaciones estresantes propicias para la violencia de género mediante estrategias de afrontamiento desadaptativas, que son propias de incompetencia social y vinculadas con comportamientos antisociales y delictivos. Abstract Socio-cognitive competence is described as the individual's ability to use personal and environmental resources to facilitate normalized behaviour. Though there is no consensually agreed taxonomy defining the relevant skills, it is widely accepted that cognitive competence consists of problems solving and other skills. Moreover, the level of cognitive competence appears to be related to the degree of antisocial and delinquent behaviour. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the coping strategies used by convicted male intimate-partner violence (IPV) offenders before entering prison, which is a stressful context that may trigger further gender violence. A field study was undertaken to assess a total of 250 male detainees sentenced for gender violence, who were admitted to a prison treatment programme. The results reveal that IPV offenders cope with stressful problems and situaciones conducive to gender violence by employing desadaptative coping strategies, which are characterisitic of social incompetence and associated to antisocial and delinquent behaviour.
El capítulo contribuye al análisis de la conducta sexual agresiva de hombres y mujeres, con enfoque en las bases neuroanatómicas y neurofisiológicas.
Plain Language Summary
Worldwide Research on Cognitive Distortion
This bibliometric study aims to indicates a global research pattern related to cognitive distortion that focuses on publication output, affiliated countries, co-authors and the occurrence of author keywords. Bibliometric analysis was performed using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny software packages on academic articles from 1950 to 2021 indexed on the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. 1834 articles were discovered, and research findings showed that rapid publishing growth has occurred especially since 2008 onwards and is expected to continue to increase. It was revealed that Psychology, Psychiatry, Medicine, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Social Criminology, Substance abuse and Neuroscience were categories or areas that frequently featured in articles regarding cognitive distortion. The data reveals that publications from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada accounted for more than 50% of total number of publications in this field. This study reveals a worldwide research trend on cognitive distortion, which may be useful for researchers, individuals, or policymakers to harness the existing potential and create opportunities for future research development. In addition to the contributions, this study does have some limitations. First, the only databases used to generate data were Scopus and WoS. Second, the researchers did not use keywords related to the dimensions or types of cognitive distortion. Third, the researchers did not use keywords that have the same meaning as cognitive distortion such as cognitive error or cognitive bias and fourth, only studies published in the form of journal articles were included in this study.
Cette étude porte sur le traitement de l'information chez des auteurs de violence sexuelle (AVS) sur mineurs à la fois sur le plan cognitif, avec les distorsions cognitives, et sur le plan émotionnel, avec l'alexithymie. La recherche a été menée sur 20 hommes auteurs de violence sexuelle sur mineurs. Un questionnaire auto-rapporté a servi à mesurer l'alexithymie et les distorsions cognitives. Les résultats soulignent des niveaux élevés d'alexithymie et de distorsions cognitives. Les AVS en milieu fermé ont un score significativement plus élevé sur le facteur émotionnel de l'alexithymie que les AVS en milieu ouvert. Les données semblent indiquer des déficits dans le traitement de l'information sociale chez les AVS sur mineurs. Cette étude souligne l'importance d'adapter l'offre de soins en fonction des déficits, mais également du lieu de prise en charge et des ressources des patients.
There are clinical practice and operational reasons why it may be appropriate to primarily focus on general risk factors when supervising people convicted of sexual crime in the community. General risk domains may be particularly relevant when supervision officers engage in frequent reassessment of acute dynamic risk factors. We tested the ability of a case management tool, the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-entry, to discriminate community based, short-term general (all outcome) recidivism versus nonrecidivism among people convicted of sexual crime ( n = 562). We tested the predictive discrimination validity of each DRAOR item and then subscale scores in univariate and multivariate models (also controlling for general static risk). DRAOR scores were associated with general recidivism outcomes and effect sizes were generally similar or stronger compared to models with people convicted of nonsexual crime ( n = 2854). DRAOR Acute scores were consistently and incrementally related to general recidivism outcomes beyond other scores. In practice, case managers should remain aware that people convicted of sexual crime are at risk for nonsexual recidivism outcomes and assess problematic functioning broadly alongside problems in sexual domains. Clinically, interconnection among domains potentially provides multiple avenues for effective intervention.
Conventional treatment for individuals with histories of sexual offending has typically involved the facilitation of cognitive-behavioral interventions. Recent research related to this form of intervention has raised concerns about its effectiveness. Neurofeedback has been found to be a beneficial form of treatment for a range of clinical presentations internationally. Despite this, its use in the UK has thus far been limited. Based on the theoretical literature related to sexual offending, as well as findings that Neurofeedback can be beneficial for people who experience problems resulting from trauma, emotional instability, harmful behaviors toward others, those with developmental disorders, and for those who have struggled to engage with and/or benefit from talking therapies. Neurofeedback was carried out with an individual in a UK-based secure mental health setting. This individual, referred to as John in the current study, presented to services with an Autism Spectrum Condition, mild Intellectual Disability and a diagnosis of pedophilia, as well as a history of sexual offending against children and vulnerable adults. John had engaged in many treatment programs over many years with little evidence of significant benefit. Psychometric measures as well as qualitative feedback was used to evaluate any change experienced by John following Neurofeedback and the use of the Reliable Change Index revealed significant improvements in relation to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive type patterns of responding, child sexual arousal, sexual compulsivity, and sexual preoccupation. Whilst our findings are modest they do provide tentative support for the use of Neurofeedback for people with similar presenting difficulties to John and those in similar circumstances. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
Male sexual offenders constitute a heterogeneous population. In the past decades, various classification systems and explanatory theories have been used to simplify and explain the heterogeneity of the sex offender population. The current chapter evaluates to what extent these approaches can assist in practical decision-making related to the type and duration of the intervention(s), risk assessment instruments, and risk of recidivism. For example, challenges are discussed related to definition problems, legal differences between countries, and study designs. In light of these challenges, a developmental life-course approach to classifying and explaining male contact sexual offending is proposed that focuses on differences between offenders, as well as a person’s ability to change their offending behavior over time.
According to police statistics, 12,019 cases of child sexual abuse with 14,051 victims were recorded by police in Germany in 2016 (Bundeskriminalamt 2017). Those cases that are brought to the attention of the judicial authorities and are located within the so-called Hellfeld (lit. “light field”), however, represent merely a fraction of the actual magnitude (Beier et al. 2015d). By and large, there is little willingness on the part of those affected to report to the police (between 11.7% and 18%); this has however increased in recent years. Abusive acts with vaginal, anal, or oral penetration and those that have taken place over a long period of time have the greatest likelihood of being reported (Bieneck et al. 2011). It is estimated that the number of unreported cases is up to 30 times higher than those included in police crime statistics (Stoltenborgh et al. 2011). Of the participants at the Berlin location of the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld (Präventionsprojekt Dunkelfeld [PPD]), 43% admitted to having committed child sexual abuse, the significant majority of which (83%) were unknown to the judicial authorities (Kuhle, Kossow and Beier 2015). A similar picture emerged from the Juvenile Prevention Project (Präventionsprojekt Jugendliche [PPJ]): 45% of the 12- 18-year-olds who expressed interest in the project admitted to having committed child sexual abuse. Approximately 60% of these cases were unknown to the judicial authorities (Schlinzig et al. 2017).
The material and approaches used in the manual within the context of the interventions are intended to provide structure to the therapeutic work and serve as aids for getting the content across. The following concepts (and abbreviations) will be used:
The present study looked at child sexual abuse (CSA) from the perpetrator’s perspective, focusing on precursors to, sustaining mechanisms, and inhibitors of CSA. Individuals serving sentences for sexual abuse of children under the age of 16 were interviewed (N = 8). A qualitative design using interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed. Negative childhood events such as poly-victimization, poor social skills, loneliness, and insecure sexual identity were reported as predisposing elements. Abuse was sustained due to a strong conviction of not being responsible for doing anything wrong. Respondents conveyed few salient inhibitors for the abuse, though not wanting to physically harm the child was often cited as important. Implications for the prevention of CSA in risk groups suggest the need to increase the understanding of children from a child's perspective, changing conceptions leading to disavowal of adult responsibility toward children, strengthening social competency, integration into a social context, and increasing knowledge about the harmful consequences of CSA.
Die sexuelle Ausbeutung von Kindern und Jugendlichen umfasst ein breites Spektrum sexueller Missbrauchshandlungen. Aber auch durch die Verbreitung und Nutzung von Abbildungen dieser Handlungen (sog. Missbrauchsabbildungen) werden Kinder sexuell ausgebeutet. Zur Darstellung kommen Häufigkeiten, strafrechtliche Bewertung und Opferfolgen dieser Handlungen, die zum größten Teil im sog. Dunkelfeld stattfinden, d. h. den Ermittlungsbehörden bzw. der Justiz nicht bekannt werden. Zur Beschreibung dieses fremdschädigenden Verhaltens wird das Konzept der Dissexualität eingeführt sowie ein Einblick in verursacherbezogene Erklärungsmodelle für sexuellen Kindesmissbrauch und die Nutzung von Missbrauchsabbildungen ermöglicht. Hieraus ergibt sich, das sexuelle Interesse an Kindern im Sinne einer Pädophilie bzw. Hebephilie im Rahmen eines multimodalen präventiven Behandlungsansatzes als stabilen Einflussfaktor maßgeblich zu beachten.
Darlegt werden die einzelnen Module des BEDIT-A anhand der empfohlenen Reihenfolge, wobei die Arbeit mit Bezugspersonen, die Behandlung komorbider Störungen bzw. der zusätzliche Einsatz medikamentöser Behandlungsoptionen für den gesamten Therapieprozess gültig sind. Pro Modul wird der theoretische Hintergrund erläutert, die therapeutischen Ziele werden definiert und anschließend die Interventionen zur Umsetzung vorgestellt.
Past research has supported that community women engage in sexually coercive strategies as a means to initiate sexual intercourse with men. However, at the present state of the knowledge, there is a great lack of scientific information on the psychological characterization of these women. In accordance, the aim of the present study was to characterize the psychopathological and personality profile of a sample of college women reporting sexual initiation by coercive approaches, and to predict membership in the categories of sexually abusive strategies that were used by these women. Findings revealed that 32.7% of women reported to have used some kind of sexually coercive strategy in the past; these women were characterized by the endorsement of more psychopathology symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, somatization), and a maladaptive personality style (e.g., neuroticism, impulsiveness, negative trait-affect), in relation to the nonaggressive peers. Also, among the sexually aggressive group, extraversion predicted membership in the category of physical force (i.e., women using physical force to initiate sexual interaction). Findings add to the literature by showing that college women reporting sexually aggressive strategies as a means to initiate sexual intercourse with men present a set of psychopathological and personality features that are qualitatively similar to those features that were previously found to characterize samples of convicted sexual offenders.
Recent research highlights potential differences between groups of men sexually attracted to children regarding child molestation behavior, attitudes toward sex with children, and the decision not to act on their attractions. The present study furthered this line of research by investigating the roles of general self-regulation and prosocial support on the decision not to act among 69 men sexually attracted to children. Mixed-methods analysis of survey results provided mixed evidence regarding their relevance to refraining from engaging in child molestation behavior. Quantitative results suggested that self-control, but not prosocial support, showed a major influence on participants' decision not to act. Qualitative results offered a more nuanced understanding of the roles of both of these factors in participants' decisions. Overall, findings support an approach for investigating men sexually attracted to children that focuses on differences between men who do and do not act on their attractions, as well as on the active decision to refrain from engaging in child molestation behavior. Implications for research and clinical practice are highlighted.
The Multimodal Self-Regulation Theory of sexual offending posits that persons engage in sexual offending and other patterns of problematic behaviour in response to critical deficits in their ability to regulate emotions, thoughts, and relationships with other people. Such behaviours develop in the form of maladaptive regulatory skills that become reinforced over time. This chapter discusses the applicability of this model to diverse groups of offenders, emerging empirical evidence, strengths and limitations of the model, and future directions for research and treatment.
This chapter considers the relationship between empathy and sexual offending, as this type of offending has generated by far the largest literature on empathy, and sets out to review theories of empathy deficits and sexual offending. After examining the concept of empathy, proposing a definition based on a review of theoretical perspectives of this construct, the evidence for different types of empathy deficit in sexual offenders is then reviewed. The chapter concludes by proposing a new model of empathy deficits in sexual offending, and sets out its implications for practice in the rehabilitation of sexual offenders.
This study investigated the day-to-day deviant and nondeviant sexuality of a sample of Canadian sexual aggressors against women (N = 160). Using latent class analysis, three latent classes were identified: internalized deviant (ID), low sexual problem (LSP), and hypersexual deviant (HD). Following the latent class analysis, the developmental, physiological, cognitive, and criminological correlates of these lifestyles were analyzed. ID (n = 31) aggressors were characterized by sexual dissatisfaction, sexual deviance, and a bland sexual life. LSP (n = 116) aggressors were characterized by the absence of sexual deviance or hypersexuality. HD (n = 13) aggressors were characterized by hypersexuality and sexual deviance. Our exploratory study suggests that the day-to-day nondeviant and deviant sexual life of sexual aggressors against women appear to affect their modus operandi. Furthermore, the adult sexual lifestyles of sexual aggressors against women appear to be extensions of their adolescent sexual lifestyles. The results of this study thus suggest avenues for research—notably, the specific influence of sexual behaviours and internalized psychosexual problems on modus operandi—that could improve the clinical management of sexual aggressors against women.
Wissen über die Ursachen und Verursachenden von sexuellem Kindesmissbrauch stellt eine wirksame Strategie zur Verhinderung sexuellen Missbrauchs dar. In dem Kapitel wird zwischen sexuellen Präferenzstörungen und sexuellen Ersatzhandlungen unterschieden sowie eine differenzierte Darstellung von Nutzern sexueller Missbrauchsabbildungen und Frauen als Täter geboten. Weiterhin wird auf die Ursachen von Täterschaft und Täterstrategien eingegangen. Schließlich werden auch Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren in Bezug auf Rückfälligkeit und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten vorgestellt.
Sexually aggressive behavior against adult females is an increasingly serious societal problem. The need for a unified theoretical model is addressed by integrating the elements of existing models into a quadripartite model in which the heterogeneity of sexual aggressors is accounted for by the prominence of potential etiological factors. The components of the model—physiological sexual arousal, cognitions that justify sexual aggression, affective dyscontrol, and personality problems—function as motivational precursors that increase the probability of sexually aggressive behavior. The relative prominence of these precursors within different sexually aggressive populations is used to define major subtypes.
Child molesters, rapists, and three control groups were assessed on measures of heterosocial skills, social anxiety, hostility, impulsivity, and attitudinal variables. When possible, each variable was assessed with more than one assessment method. Subjects were observed interacting with a female confederate in a naturalistic interaction and in role-play scenes. Hostility, impulsivity, and attitudinal variables were assessed via paper-and-pencil measures. Overall, heterosocial skill deficits were observed in child molesters and rapists in comparison with the control groups. Rapists displayed higher physiological indices of anxiety during role-play scenes that demanded assertive responses, and child molesters displayed a fear of negative evaluations. Child molesters were also characterized by highly stereotyped views of sex role behavior. Measures of hostility or impulsivity were not useful in distinguishing child molesters and rapists from the three control groups. Treatment and assessment implications are discussed in light of these findings.
This chapter represents an attempt to integrate a widely disparate literature concerning factors which play a role in the etiology of sex offending and lead to its persistence. In particular we are concerned that most researchers seem to take a rather narrow perspective of this behavior, stressing their own preferred processes (i.e., psychological, biological, or sociological) to the virtual exclusion of others. We have previously emphasized the role of learning experiences (Marshall and Barbaree, 1984a), sociocultural factors (Marshall, 1984a), and biological processes (Marshall 1984b) in the etiology of rape, but this represents our first attempt at integration and the first time we have extended our theorizing to account for other sex offenses. We believe that a proper understanding of sex offending can only be attained when these diverse processes are seen as functionally interdependent.
Classification is a fundamental cognitive operation. From the first perceptual contact with stimuli (Pomerantz, 1986; Treisman, 1986) through the ultimate integration and storage of information in long-term memory (Rosch & Lloyd, 1978), the identification, organization, and integration of elements that share common characteristics has been shown to be an essential component of perception and cognition. The critical function of classification in scientific investigation mirrors its central role in general cognition. Phenomenalists, realists, and con-ceptualists, despite their diverse metaphysical perspectives, all recognize the vital role of classification in science (Ghiselin, 1981). It stands as a necessary precursor and pervasive sustainer of all scientific progress (Hempel, 1965).
Models of the offense process set out to provide a description of the cognitive, behavioral, motivational, and contextual factors associated with a particular type of offense. They model the temporal relationships between the variables of interest and focus explicitly on the proximal causes or the how of offending. In this study, qualitative analysis was used to develop a descriptive model of the offense process for 24 adult rapists. Sentenced offenders provided detailed retrospective descriptions of their thoughts, emotions, and behavior prior to and during their most recent rape. These descriptions were analyzed using a grounded-theory approach. The resulting preliminary model contained the following six phases: background factors to the offense, goal formation, approach behavior, offense preparation, the offense, and postoffense behavior. These stages are discussed along with the model's theoretical, research, and clinical implications. The model is consistent with existing multivariate theories of rape and has clear taxonomic potential.
This study assessed the social self-esteem and the coping styles of child molesters, nonsex offenders, and nonoffenders. Child molesters were found to have lower self-esteem than the other participants, and they more typically made use of emotion-focused (i.e., ineffective) coping strategies. A combination of low self-esteem and poor coping was found to predict being a child molester, although the causal pathway was somewhat obscure and appeared to involve a complex feedback loop. The results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and treatment implications.
The purpose of this article is to describe briefly the current status of a taxonomic program that was developed for studying rapists. An overview of the research strategies is provided, as well as a summary of some of the validity data that have been gathered on the most recent version of the rapist typology (the Massachusetts Treatment Center Rapist Typology, Version 3 [MTC:R3]). Moreover, several projects that have focused attention on the treatment implications of taxonomic systems have arisen. In addition, the author speculates on some treatment implications of the current taxonomic system. He compares the underlying dimensions of the current typology that have been identified as temporally stable, discriminating characteristics of various types of rapist with those behavioral domains that have emerged as targets in the treatment of both sexually aggressive and persistently violent offenders. This speculative comparison of dimensions and treatment targets provides an opportunity to hypothesize about possible interfaces between the taxonomy and therapeutic intervention.
Development of a comprehensive typology for the classification of sexual offenders has important implications for both risk prediction and treatment. To date, the most comprehensive typological system has been developed by Knight and Prentky (1990). These authors have developed typologies for both child molesters and rapists. The system for rapists has been replicated on at least two samples (Barbaree, Seto, Serin, Amos, & Preston, 1994; Brown & Forth, 1997); however, the child molester typology has yet to be fully replicated outside the MTC. In the present study, 109 child molesters who were assessed or treated at the Regional Treatment Centre (Ontario) were classified according to the MTC child molester typology. Interrater reliabilities were obtained for 20 participants and ranged from .90 to .40, which are comparable to those obtained in the MTC sample. Groups were compared on a number of meaningful variables, such as number of victims and sexual deviance.
Distorted or maladaptive thinking is widely acknowledged as an important variable in both the initiation and maintenance of sexual offending. The aim of this study was to develop a descriptive model to classify sex offenders' cognitions concerning their offending behavior. Offense descriptions were obtained from 20 incarcerated male child sex offenders undergoing assessment for a sex offender treatment program. A data-driven approach to model development—grounded theory—was taken in the qualitative analysis of these offense accounts. The resulting model consisted of four categories: offense chain, cognitive operations, cognitive content, and metavariables. To determine its content validity and reliability, the model was applied to the offense descriptions of a sample of 25 incarcerated child molesters also undergoing pretreatment assessment. Results suggest that the model has provisional validity and adequate interrater reliability. Finally, the authors discuss the theoretical and clinical implications of the model.
Sixty incarcerated rapists were subtyped according to the Massachusetts Treatment Center Rapist Typology as either “nonsexual” (i.e., the opportunistic and vindictive subtypes) or “sexual” (i.e., the nonsadistic and sadistic subtypes). Subjects were then tested using the circumferential penile plethysmograph, assessing their erectile responses to verbal descriptions of consenting sex and rape. Additionally, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised was scored for each subject, and institutional files were summarized and coded. The index offenses committed by the nonsexual subtypes were more violent and resulted in greater victim damage; the offenses of the men in the nonsexual subtypes were more likely to be impulsive; the men in the sexual subtypes were more socially isolated at the time of the offense. Relative sexual arousal to rape descriptions was greater among the sexual subtypes than among the nonsexual subtypes. These results are discussed in terms of two separate cognitive-behavioral processes leading to rape.
The attitudes of child molesters often are considered to contribute to their offenses, and the accurate identification of these cognitive distortions can be important to assessment and treatment. Through the administration of a newly created questionnaire, the attitudes of 50 male incest offenders were compared with those of 25 male batterers and 25 men not seeking treatment. Compared to the other groups, the incest offenders showed deviant attitudes in three domains: (a) endorsing attitudes supportive of male sexual privilege (sexual entitlement), (b) perceiving children to be sexually attractive and sexually motivated, and (c) minimizing the harm caused by sexual abuse of children. Implications of the findings for theories of father-daughter incest are discussed.
Effective intervention with sexual offenders requires the targeting of appropriate risk factors. In this study, information on dynamic (changeable) risk factors was collected through interviews with community supervision officers and file reviews of 208 sexual offense recidivists and 201 nonrecidivists. The recidivists were generally considered to have poor social supports, attitudes tolerant of sexual assault, antisocial lifestyles, poor self-management strategies, and difficulties cooperating with supervision. The overall mood of the recidivists and nonrecidivists was similar, but the recidivists showed increased anger and subjective distress just before reoffending. The dynamic risk factors reported by the officers continued to be strongly associated with recidivism, even after controlling for preexisting differences in static risk factors. The factors identified in the interview data were reflected (to a lesser extent) in the officers' contemporaneous case notes, which suggests that the interview findings cannot be completely attributed to retrospective recall bias.
Although a variety of cognitions are thought to be associated with men who engage children in sexual activities, the extent to which these cognitive factors are specific to molesters has yet to be determined. In this study, incestuous molesters, extrafamilial molesters, rapists, incarcerated nonsexual offenders, and laypersons were compared on cognitive distortions, fear of negative evaluation, and cognitive and affective empathy, while taking into account social desirability response bias. Analyses of a priori hypotheses showed incestuous and extrafamilial molesters had significantly greater fear of negative evaluation than rapists, and that extrafamilial molesters had significantly higher congnitive distortion scores than all other groups. The groups did not differ significantly on empathy scores. Implications of these findings for research with, and treatment of, child molesters are discussed.
In recent years a number of multifactorial theories of child sexual abuse have been developed. The most influential are Finkelhor's (1984) Precondition Model of child sexual abuse; Hall and Hirschman's (1992) Quadripartite Model; and Marshall and Barbaree's Integrated Theory (1990). While all three of these important theories have a number of strengths, each has serious weaknesses that limit its ability to provide a satisfactory explanation of child sexual abuse. In this paper we attempt to integrate the best elements of the three theories into a comprehensive etiological theory, or at least the beginnings of such a theory. After outlining the concept of theory knitting we briefly summarise each of the multifactorial theories and their major strengths and weaknesses. We then develop a comprehensive theoretical framework (the Pathways Model) integrating both the overlapping and unique elements of these broad perspectives with some additional concepts derived from various psychological domains. In the final section of the paper we consider the adequacy of the Pathways Model.
one of the major goals of our research program at the Massachusetts Treatment Center during the 1980s has been addressing these critical taxonomic problems by systematically applying this approach to the study of sexual offenders / it is the intent of this chapter to give an overview of this programmatic approach and to summarize some of the taxonomic structures that have emerged from our research (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Investigated the mood accompanying sexual fantasies, and the way in which the other person in the fantasy was perceived, by 21 child molesters, 19 rapists, and 19 non-sexual offenders. Child molesters did not differ from other Ss in their perceptions of adults in their fantasies, and the adult fantasy was perceived more positively than the child fantasy. Child molesters were more likely to fantasize about children when in a negative emotional state than when in a positive mood, and these fantasies were likely to produce a negative mood state. Child molesters may fantasize about a child as an inappropriate way of coping with dysphoric moods, thus enhancing that dysphoria and leading to further inappropriate fantasies. Results suggest that sexual fantasy monitoring should become an important component in the treatment of child molesters. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Reports 4 studies on the psychometric properties of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Study 1 examined the factor structure of the CISS in samples of 832 college students and 483 adults. Strong support was found for the multidimensionality of the CISS, suggesting that the scale independently assesses 3 basic dimensions: task-, emotion-, and avoidance-oriented coping. Study 2 further investigated the construct validity of the CISS by comparing it with 2 measures of basic coping styles. Study 3 also examined the construct validity of the CISS by comparing it with various measures of psychopathology. Study 4 investigated the concurrent validity of the CISS by studying the relationship between coping style (assessed by the CISS) and situation-specific coping responses used in 2 different stressful situations. Overall, the results of the 4 studies suggest that the CISS is a valid and reliable measure of basic coping styles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This study was designed to (a) examine the dimensionality of rape attitudes; (b) explore the relationships between perceptions of rape and background characteristics of rapists, police, female rape crisis counselors, and citizens; and (c) determine how these groups might differ with regard to rape attitudes. Data were collected from 1,448 Ss from the aforementioned groups using measures of Ss' attitudes toward and knowledge of rape, the Attitudes Toward Women Scale, and a personal data form. Results show that the groups were similar in their structures of rape attitudes. As predicted, sex, race, and marital status were the most important characteristics for predicting rape attitudes;
within the respondent groups, however, other characteristics were found to be important. Significant differences were also found among the groups in their perceptions of rape. The counselors differed from the police, citizens, and rapists in their views of rape, while citizens and police were most similar. No differences were found between the police and rapists on half of the attitudinal dimensions. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of attitudes toward rape. (82 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This article integrates the findings of a series of studies that empirically address contentions that many “normal” men possess a proclivity to rape. In these studies, an attempt was made to identify individuals with such a proclivity by asking male college students how likely they personally would be to rape if they could be assured of not being caught. On the average, about 35% indicated some likelihood of raping. To assess the validity of such reports as indicators of a proclivity to rape, the following three steps were taken: First, the literature was reviewed to identify responses that distinguished convicted rapists from the general population. The responses found to characterize rapists were greater acceptance of rape myths and relatively high sexual arousal to rape depictions. Second, the relationships between reported likelihood of raping and the responses found to characterize rapists were analyzed. The data clearly showed that in comparison with men who reported lower likelihood of raping, men who indicated higher likelihood were more similar to convicted rapists both in beliefs in rape myths and in sexual arousal to rape depictions. Third, the relationship between likelihood of raping reports and aggressive behavior was examined. It was found that higher reported likelihood of raping was associated with greater aggression against women within a laboratory setting. The overall pattern of the data is interpreted as supporting the validity of likelihood of raping ratings and consistent with contentions that many men have a proclivity to rape. Possible causes of such a propensity and directions for future research are discussed.
Sexual offenders tend to hold attitudes and beliefs which minimize and justify their offending behavior. It was hypothesized that distorted thinking supporting sexual offending and blame attribution would differ depending on the offence characteristics of different groups of sexual offenders.
Two groups of sexual offenders separated on the basis of the age of their victims (sex offenders against children, 36; sex offenders against adults, 30) were compared on measures of cognitive distortions relating to sex with children and rape and a measure of blame attribution which assesses external, mental element, and guilt feeling attributions.
Child sexual offenders endorsed more cognitive distortions relating to sex with children, but there were no group differences in cognitive distortions relating to rape. Those who offended against adults reported more external attributions and child offenders reported more guilt feeling attributions. Mental element attribution related to alcohol intoxication and use of violence in the offence, but was not related to group differences.
Results are interpreted as suggesting that child sex offenders support their offending by more enduring distorted cognitions, while those who offend against adults use blame attributions associated with the particular offence.
The victim-choice polymorphia of 178 sexual aggressors divided into six subtypes, incest offenders, pseudoincest offenders, sexual aggressors of familiar children, sexual aggressors of unfamiliar children, sexual aggressors of familiar women, and sexual aggressors of unfamiliar women, was compared. Results showed that sex offenders remained stable in their choice of victim from one offence to another in terms of victim age, victim gender, and aggressor-victim relationship. Subjects characterised by high levels of polymorphia were pseudoincest offenders and sexual aggressors of familiar women, whereas sexual aggressors of both unfamiliar women and unfamiliar children were characterised by low levels of polymorphia. Recommendations regarding how to further refine sex offender typologies are discussed.
Two studies were conducted to compare various aspects of child molesters, non-sexual offenders, and community-based nonoffenders. These studies were aimed at examining some implications of our general model of sexual offending. Study 1 compared the responses of these 3 groups on measures of self-esteem, attitudes toward women and children, and social desirability tendencies. The only observed difference was that child molesters had significantly lower self-esteem than did the other 2 groups. In Study 2, child molesters displayed more cognitive distortions about sex between adults and children than did nonsexual offenders or nonoffenders. However in this study child molesters scored in the same range as the other participants on self-esteem and the tendency to use sex as a way of coping with problems. The results are discussed in terms of the differences between the present findings and earlier studies, and their implications for future research.
A useful tool for practitioners, researchers, theorists, and advanced students, Handbook of Sexual Assault analyzes the nature and extent of the problem of sexual offending and classifies the types of offenders according to an empirically developed system. In addition, contributors present the theories of the etiology and maintenance of sexual offending; offer various perspectives and factors relevant to accurate assessment; and detail contemporary treatment procedures.
The current research examined the hypothesis that sexual activity functions as a coping strategy for sexual offenders. A 16-item scale, the Coping Using Sex Inventory (CUSI), was developed to assess the presence of and the degree to which sex was used to deal with problematic situations. Sexual offenders consistently reported using sexual activities, both consenting and nonconsenting, as a coping strategy to deal with stressful and problematic situations. In the first study, when compared to nonsexual violent offenders, sexual offenders showed evidence of sexual preoccupation during adolescence, and this preoccupation was related to the latter use of sex as a coping strategy. In the second study, intimacy deficits and loneliness were related to greater use of sexual activity as a coping mechanism. The third study examined the psychometric properties of the CUSI. A factor analysis revealed 3 factors in the CUSI corresponding to consenting sexual themes, rape themes, and child sexual abuse themes. Sexual offenders reported higher use of each type of sexual activity to cope with stressful and difficult situations as compared to nonsexual offenders. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed here.
Throughout history, whenever a socially frightening disorder existed, and its etiology was not widely known, tentative explanations were invoked that sometimes proved erroneous and regrettable. Ancient Romans feared inhaling nighttime air, believing that it bore vapors, emitted from nearby swamps, which were regarded as the cause of a potentially fatal respiratory disease. Today, “swamp vapors” are called bacteria, and the disorder is known as pneumonia. Epileptics in colonial Salem, Massachusetts, were hanged in the mistaken belief that their seizures signified that they were demon-possessed witches. In current society, both disorders are readily treated and create little concern.
This article is an attempt to bridge the gap between feminist structural explanations for rape and the social psychological mechanisms that make it possible for some men in patriarchal societies to feel neutral about sexual violence toward women. The concept of role taking is used to analyze the perceptions of self and victim held by 79 convicted rapists. Men who defined their behavior during sexual encounters as rape saw themselves from the perspective of their victim through reflexive role taking, had inferred their victims' experience through synesic role taking, and used this awareness to further their plan of action. Men who did not define their behavior as rape did neither reflexive nor synesic role taking and appeared incapable of understanding the meaning of sexual violence to women. The majority of both groups did not experience role-taking emotions, that is, guilt, shame, or empathy, which symbolic interactionists posit are the mediators of self-control. I argue that the gender imbalance of power and the status of women as property are the social factors that render normative emotions inoperative in sexual violence.
This book addresses how and why criminal offenders repeat their actions after being released from prison. It is part of an attempt to explain criminal behavior within the context of a contemporary psychological understanding of behavior, rather than more traditional theories of crime. Over 300 serious male criminal offenders were interviewed and tested after they returned to prison for new crimes. The results indicate that their new offenses may be the result of something like a 'breakdown'. From this, it can be argued that we could monitor released prisoners to predict or even to prevent their return to crime. This report, written for a general audience, has some important implications for release supervision, rehabilitation programs, and the prediction of recidivism.
The aim of the current study was to verify whether relationships exist in sexual aggressors between affective components (moods and emotions following conflicts) and sexual behaviors (fantasies and masturbatory activities during such fantasies). We therefore developed the “Fantasy Report”, a self-assessment method for recording affective components and sexual behaviors. Nineteen rapists, 12 heterosexual pedophiles, and 8 homosexual pedophiles filled out the Fantasy Report every 2 days for 2 months. In rapists and heterosexual pedophiles, negative moods and conflicts coincided with overwhelming deviant sexual fantasies and increased masturbatory activities during such fantasies. For the homosexual pedophiles, the data revealed a significant relationship only between affective components and deviant sexual fantasies. The emotions most frequently reported were anger, loneliness, and humiliation by the rapists, loneliness and humiliation by the heterosexual pedophiles, and loneliness by the homosexual pedophiles. These data are discussed on the basis of the Relapse Prevention Model.
analyze the coping process, emphasizing the relevance of coping research to understanding adaptive functioning more generally / begin by considering general conceptualizations of coping, and present an integrative conceptual approach / describe the relation between different coping strategies and adaptive functioning / present 2 models of adaptive functioning—reflecting both stress resistance and crisis growth—that depend on coping as a central mechanism / highlight key issues that refine our general understanding of coping and adaptation (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Investigates the proposition that the American culture contains beliefs which support violence toward women, and that actively violent people simply select and organize the culturally available excuses and explanations for their behavior when they need them. After developing a theoretical rationale for this proposition, the author examined data from 598 18+ yr olds from the general public and from 36 rapists (mean age 26.9 yrs) participating in 2 sex offender treatment programs. Ss responded to a vignette depicting, with experimental variations, a violent interaction between a man and a woman, plus demographic and attitudinal information. Results indicate that the rapists and the general public held many of the same beliefs about violence. They differed primarily in what they do with those beliefs, with the rapist sample tending more than the general public to offer justifications of high violence situations and to dissociate blame and "badness" from perceptions of violence. Results are discussed in light of their support for the original proposition, and the role that data can play in altering the prevailing cultural ideology and its effects is discussed. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
society does not yet widely accept an explanation for the existence of sexual aggressors / struggling to ascertain the determinants of sexually abusive acts so that effective treatments may be devised, early theorists proposed a number of speculative accounts
past theories regarding etiology of sexual aggression / sexual aggression as an impulsive act / reinterpretation of the impulsivity hypothesis / sex offenders as "sexual psychopaths" / flaws of sexual psychopath legislation / relapse prevention / internal self-management dimension / assessment of high-risk situations / assessment of coping skills / treatment procedures for avoiding lapses (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
While clinical accounts of child molesters' cognitions about adult sexual contactwith children suggest that these individuals believe in the salutary consequences which sexual contact can have for a child, such notions have yet to undergo empirical scrutiny. The present research explores the hypothesis that the cognitions of men who have had sexual contact with children are more permissive and accepting of this behavior than those of a number of comparison groups.Vignettes describing sexual contact between an adult and a child were abstracted from clinical case descriptions and constructed to vary the degree of sexual contact (touching, fondling, no clothes, ejaculation) and the child's response (smiling, passive, crying). Groups of child molesters, rapists, clinicians, laypersons, lawyers and police officers responded to questions following each vignette which assessed their view of the adult's and the child's behavior. Results indicated that child molesters differed from other respondent groups in perceiving more benefits resulting from sexual contact, greater complicity on the child's part, and less responsibility on the adult's part. Differences of this sort suggest that the cognitions of men who have had sexual contact with children may play a contributory or facilitative role in such behavior.
As part of a general theory of sexual offending, it is suggested that the failure to achieve intimacy in relations with adults produces emotional loneliness, which leads to an aggressive disposition, and a tendency to pursue sex with diverse partners in the hope of finding intimacy through sexuality or through less threatening partners. The development of intimacy and its benefits are described, as are the consequences that befall those who fail to achieve it. The history of sexual offenders illustrates why they fail to develop the attitudes and skills necessary to attain intimacy, and why this failure leads to sexual abuse. Finally, suggestions are made for the modification of programs for the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders, in order to include problems of intimacy and loneliness.
Sexual abuse has come to public attention so rapidly and is such a difficult problem to deal with that many observers are concerned that the quality of child protective intervention in these cases has been haphazard and indiscriminate. This article analyzes data on all 6,096 cases of child sexual abuse which were "officially reported" in 1978 to see what kinds of intervention were made. The data show that foster placement occurred in more cases of sexual abuse than physical abuse, and was concentrated among cases of older children who reported their own victimization. Criminal action was taken almost five times more often in cases of sexual abuse than in cases of physical abuse, and occurred more often among cases which were directly reported to police and involved offenders with prior criminal records. Black families and poorer families did not seem to be the objects of obvious discrimination in the disposition of these cases.
The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship in sexual offenders between conflict, affective states and particular sexual behaviors (fantasies and masturbatory activities while having such fantasies). To this end we developed the "Fantasy Report", a self-assessment method for recording affective components and sexual behaviors. Thirteen rapists and 9 pedophiles filled out the Fantasy Report every 2 days for a period of 60 days. In rapists, negative mood and the presence of conflicts coincided with both overwhelming deviant sexual fantasies and increased masturbatory activities while having such fantasies. Furthermore, the emotions most frequently reported by rapists following conflicts were loneliness, humiliation, anger and feelings of inadequacy and rejection. Affective components, however, were not associated with nondeviant sexual behaviors. For the pedophiles, the data revealed a significant relationship only between negative moods and deviant sexual fantasies. These data are interpreted to mean that, in sexual offenders, negative affect is a crucial component in the chain that leads to deviant sexual behaviors.
Clinicians and researchers have noted that maladaptive beliefs and distorted thinking play an important role in facilitating or justifying sexual offenses. There have been a number of attempts to describe the nature of these beliefs and to develop ways of measuring them, but in the absence of any integrating theory. We suggest that an understanding of the cognitive processes underlying the initiation, maintenance, and justification of sexual offending is a vital prerequisite to the development of successful treatment programs. In this paper, we use a social cognition framework to review the literature on the role of cognition in sexual offending. Pertinent research in the sexual offending domain, specifically cognitive products, information processing, cognitive change, and the impact of affective and motivational factors on cognitive processes, is described and related to the social cognitive approach. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed in light of the major issues and problems highlighted in our review.
The present study examined the parent-child attachments, typical coping styles, and childhood sexual abuse among 30 child molesters, 24 nonsexual offenders, and 29 nonoffenders. The results indicated that all subjects reported greater security in their attachments to their mothers than to their fathers and the insecure patterns of childhood attachments were related to ineffective adult coping. The only difference observed in characteristic coping showed that child molesters were more likely to engage in emotion focused strategies. Child molesters reported having experienced high levels of childhood sexual abuse and these experiences appear to have been more distressing to them than to other subjects. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and treatment.
In many settings phallometric evaluations of sexual arousal are routinely conducted with sexual offenders and these evaluation procedures also serve as research instruments. There are, however, problems with the psychometric bases of these assessments, and studies reporting their use have so many idiosyncratic features that comparisons are of dubious value. Evidence concerning the reliability and criterion validity of phallometric testing leaves a lot to be desired, although the research has suggested an important but limited value in predicting subsequent recidivism. Suggestions are made for further research and for the clinical use of phallometric assessments within more comprehensive evaluations of sexual offenders.
Relapse prevention of sexual aggression Human Sexual Aggression: Current Perspectives (pp. 244 Á/260)
- W D Pithers
- K Kashima
- G F Cumming
- L S Beal
- M Buell
Pithers, W. D., Kashima, K., Cumming, G. F., Beal, L. S. & Buell, M. (1988). Relapse prevention of sexual aggression. In R. Prentky & V. Quinsey (Eds.), Human Sexual Aggression: Current Perspectives (pp. 244 Á/260). New York: New York Academy of Sciences.
A critical survey of coping instruments Convicted rapists' perceptions of self and victim: role taking and emotions Adult sexual contact with children: an examination of cognitive factors
- R Schwarzer
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Schwarzer, R. & Schwarzer, C. (1996). A critical survey of coping instruments. In M. Zeidner & N. S. Endler (Eds.), Handbook of Coping. Theory, Research and Applications (pp. 107 Á/132). New York: Wiley. Scully, D. (1988). Convicted rapists' perceptions of self and victim: role taking and emotions. Gender and Society, 2, 200 Á/213. Stermac, L. E. & Segal, Z. (1989). Adult sexual contact with children: an examination of cognitive factors. Behavior Therapy, 20, 573Á/584.
Cognitive Behavioural Treatment of Sexual Offenders
- W L Marshall
- D Anderson
- Y Fernandez
Marshall, W. L., Anderson, D. & Fernandez, Y. (1999a). Cognitive Behavioural Treatment of Sexual Offenders. Chichester, UK: Wiley.
What is so special about relapse prevention? Remaking Relapse Prevention with Sex Offenders: A Aourcebook (pp. 27 Á/38) Thousand Oaks
- R K Hanson
Hanson, R. K. (2000). What is so special about relapse prevention? In D. R. Laws, S. M. Hudson & T. Ward (Eds.), Remaking Relapse Prevention with Sex Offenders: A Aourcebook (pp. 27 Á/38). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Competency-based assessment Remaking Relapse Prevention with Sex Offenders: A Sourcebook (pp. 213 Á/224) Thousand Oaks
- M H Miner
Miner, M. H. (2000). Competency-based assessment. In D. R. Laws, S. M. Hudson & T. Ward (Eds.), Remaking Relapse Prevention with Sex Offenders: A Sourcebook (pp. 213 Á/224). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.