NCJ Number
209140
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 39-46
Date Published
January 2005
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the psychological, phallometric, and criminal differences between biological fathers and stepfathers who sexually abuse their daughters.
Abstract
Previous research has investigated the differences between biological fathers who sexually abuse their daughters and stepfathers who sexually abuse their step/adopted daughters since the differences may be etiologically and developmentally relevant. The current study extended this research literature by examining differences between a sample of 84 biological fathers and 59 stepfathers who had been convicted of hands-on sexual offenses against their daughters. The analysis focused on a comparison of a comprehensive array of standardized self-report questionnaires, psychometric tools, physiological measures, and recidivism data. Measures included the Cognition Scale, the Pedophile Index, the Pedophile Assault Index, the Rape Index, and the Assault Index. Results of statistical analyses indicated that both groups of sexual offenders reported serious problems in their own childhoods and current problems with alcohol abuse and sexual functioning. The only statistical significant difference between the two groups of incest offenders was on sexual arousal to children, with biological fathers reporting less arousal by sexual abuse of a child than stepfathers. The findings suggest that psychopathy does not explain the occurrence of father-daughter incest. Future research should include larger sample sizes and a larger number of sexual recidivists. Tables, references