Linking Adverse Childhood Effects and Attachment: A Theory of Etiology for Sexual Offending

Trauma, Violence & Abuse
Melissa D GradyTess Bolder

Abstract

Sexual violence continues to be a significant public health problem affecting significant portions of the population. Unfortunately, an agreed upon theory of etiology remains elusive leading to challenges in developing effective prevention and treatment interventions. Recently, there is a growing body of literature examining the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the development of sexually violent behavior. This research has begun to explore the rates of various types of child maltreatments and family dysfunction in individuals who have been convicted of a sexual crime. These empirical inquiries have been primarily descriptive in nature and have not yet provided a cohesive theoretical model as to why the presence of ACEs might contribute to sexually abusive behavior. This article suggests that attachment theory offers an explanatory link between early adversity and sexually abusive behavior in adulthood. We first summarize important attachment theory concepts, then integrate them with research in the area of developmental psychopathology and ACEs, and finally propose a model by which attachment can be used as an explanatory theory for subsequent sexualized coping and sexually abusive behaviors. Finally, this artic...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 27, 2018·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Melissa D GradyAdam Brown
Jan 15, 2019·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Jamie YoderRebecca Dillard
Feb 14, 2019·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Maya OpendakRegina M Sullivan
Jun 7, 2019·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Turgut OzkanKevin Wolff
Feb 12, 2019·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Julien EloirJean-Louis Nandrino
Feb 25, 2018·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Ismael LoinazAndrea Vilella
Mar 30, 2017·Journal of Child Sexual Abuse·Jill S LevensonClaudia P Vicencio
Oct 1, 2021·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Stéphanie Chouinard-ThiviergeIsabelle V Daignault

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