NCJ Number
235232
Journal
Journal of Criminal Psychology Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 36-42
Date Published
June 2011
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between abuse histories and current perspectives and beliefs among sexual offenders.
Abstract
The current study is an exploratory study examining the relationship between the abuse histories of 89 sexual offenders and the constructs of locus of control, sexual attitudes, general empathy, and denial. Of the 89 offenders, 14.6 percent were sexually abused, 13.5 percent physically abused, and 9 percent both sexually and physically abused, with 61.5 percent having no abuse history. Analyses indicated that motivation to change was higher for abused versus non-abused offenders, and that those who were sexually abused had significantly more cognitive distortions about children than those who experienced physical abuse. Although no differences emerged in locus of control scores, the author's findings indicated that physically abused offenders were more able to take on the perspective of others than those who have not experienced physical abuse. The findings provide several avenues to pursue in examining the longstanding effects of abuse in the thinking and cognitions of sexual offenders. (Published Abstract)