NCJ Number
243098
Date Published
2011
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study reports on the methodology and findings of a study that examined the sexual fantasies and co-occurring moods for 32 sex offenders (13 rapists, 14 extra-familial child molesters, and 5 incest offenders); 23 non-offenders also completed the same form as the offenders.
Abstract
Previous research indicates that sexual offenders who report deviant fantasies are among those who are at highest risk for sexual reoffending. The current study indicates that these men may use sexual fantasies to cope with stressful experiences, which may lead to future problems. Teaching adaptive coping strategies, problem solving, and assertiveness will help reduce the probability of reoffending. In addition, focusing on intimacy issues, especially the formation and maintenance of appropriate relationships, may also reduce recidivism. Only one rapist admitted to deviant fantasies, so the results from this part of the research only apply to child molesters. In addition, the small sample size suggests caution when generalizing to other samples. Deviant fantasies for the child molesters are apparently related to feelings of loneliness and depression; whereas, sexual fantasies that involve adults were related to conflict and feelings of rejection, humiliation, and loneliness. Thus, sexual fantasies, both about adults and about children, apparently are used to cope with negative emotional states. Although there was some tendency for non-offenders to fantasize when experiencing anxiety, for child molesters and rapists, the tendency to cope through fantasies was stronger and applied to a greater variety of negative feelings. 26 references