NCJ Number
199644
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 41-57
Date Published
2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study used a number of relationship dimensions to compare a group of familial and non-familial sex offenders who victimized children.
Abstract
Participants were 23 child sex offenders who were attending a community-based treatment program in South Australia. According to official records, 11 of the participants were familial (incestuous) child sex offenders; 9 victimized children outside of the offender's family; and 3 had victimized children both within and outside the family. The latter three offenders were excluded from the analysis. Davis' (1980) Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used to measure general empathy; the Social Intimacy Scale was used to determine the frequency or intensity with which the offender engaged in activities that reflected intimacy with his current or most prolonged prior partner. The Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to measure perceived satisfaction or dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships. The Locus of Control of Behavior Scale was used to measure the extent to which subjects perceived responsibility for their personal problem behavior. In previous research, child sex offenders have consistently been found to be deficient in the relationship measures of empathy, intimacy, loneliness, and locus of control. Contrary to expectations, the current study did not find significant differences between familial and non-familial child sex offenders on the measures of empathy, intimacy, and loneliness; however, non-familial offenders did have higher levels of cognitive empathy and a more internal locus of control than familial offenders. These findings are discussed in terms of their possible implications for service delivery. 1 table and 33 references