When the Goals of Therapists and Patients Clash: A Study of Pedophiles in Treatment

• NCJ Number: 205526
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: 2004 Pages: 69-80
• Author(s): Martin Drapeau; Annett C. Korner; Louis Brunet
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study of the experiences of 24 sex offenders who committed offenses against children (pedophiles) focused on what motivated them to enter treatment, their daily experiences in treatment, and what they considered to be helpful; psychodynamic theories are used to discuss the study results.

Abstract

Nondirective semistructured interviews were used to ascertain the subjects' thoughts about their treatment experience. The interviews were analyzed by using diverse qualitative methods, including text-based comparative analysis. The findings suggest a number of dynamic and daily elements that are key factors in the offenders entering and remaining in therapy. The subjects explained the importance of gaining a sense of mastery over their behavior through therapy. It was essential for them to make some decisions on their own and have access to various opportunities to learn more in various fields. The subjects also indicated they chose La Macaza Clinic because of its reputation. Program factors considered to be important were the structure of the program and the therapists. The therapists' strength, leadership, authority, and care were often preconditions for the subjects to participate and remain in treatment. The participants tested the therapist to determine whether certain qualities were present. The findings suggest that patients want to be involved in determining the structure and quality of their experiences in therapy. Perhaps more important than therapeutic technique are the quality of the patient's interaction with the therapist and the program components. According to Lambert (1992), up to 30 percent of the outcome variance in therapy can be explained by the nature of the relationship between the therapist and the patient. The findings of this study thus suggest that the pedophile is not a passive recipient of the therapist's technique, but rather is proactive, perhaps to the extent of having a different therapy agenda than the therapist. 54 references