Do Pedophiles Have a Weaker Identity Structure Compared With Nonsexual Offenders?

• NCJ Number: 205254
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 1381-1394
• Author(s): Monique Tardif; Hubert Van Gijseghem
• Date Published: October 2001
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether pedophiles have a weaker ego-integrity regarding body image and ego identity compared with nonpedophiles, as well as whether pedophiles who have abused male victims have a weaker ego-integrity regarding body image and ego identity compared with pedophiles who have abused female victims.

Abstract

The study sample consisted of 82 subjects recruited from outpatient services of the Pinel Institute of Montreal, the Probation Program of Montreal, and Amorce, a self-help group for pedophiles. The sample was divided into the following 3 groups: pedophiles who abused male victims (n=27), pedophiles who abused female victims (n=26), and nonsexual offenders (n=29). In order to assess body image and ego identity, two objective tests, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and the Ego Identity Scale, were administered; and one projective test, the Rorschach scored according to the Fisher and Cleveland methods, was used. A multivariate analysis of covariance, using a significance threshold of p < .05, found that pedophiles who abused female victims and pedophiles who abused male victims had more fragile body image limits, as measured by the penetration score, and they manifested a higher level of social introversion than did the nonsexual offenders. Moreover, pedophiles who abused male victims had a weaker ego than did pedophiles who abused female victims and nonsexual offenders. No significant intergroup differences emerged in terms of body image limits as measured by the barrier score; neither were there differences in the strength of ego identity (Ego Identity Scale). The findings thus show that certain impairments exist at the level of the basic structures of the personality of a pedophile, and these impairments should be taken into account in formulating a prognosis and devising the therapeutic process of pedophiles. The early identification of these impairments of the identity structure can guide the intervention with adolescents and children who manifest sexually abusive behavior, so as to prevent the development of abusive sexuality and to promote a more healthy developmental process. 2 tables and 47 references