Understanding sexual perpetration against children: effects of attachment style, interpersonal involvement, and hypersexuality

Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment
Michael H MinerJason Netland

Abstract

This study explores in an adolescent sample hypotheses about child sexual abuse perpetration drawn from contemporary theories that implicate insecure attachment and adolescent social development. Specifically, three 13- to 18-year-old adolescent male samples (sex offenders with child victims, sex offenders with peer/adult victims, and nonsex delinquent youth) were compared in a cross-sectional design. Participants completed a computer-administered self-report questionnaire and a semistructured attachment style interview. Attachment style was coded by two independent raters blind to study hypotheses and group membership. The results indicated an indirect effect for attachment style. Attachment anxiety affected involvement with peers and interpersonal adequacy. Feelings of interpersonal inadequacy, combined with oversexualization and positive attitudes toward others distinguished sex offenders with child victims from nonsex delinquents and from sex offenders with peer/adult victims. These data provide a preliminary model of sexual abuse perpetration consistent with contemporary theories. Attachment anxiety with a lack of misanthropic attitudes toward others appears to lead to isolation from peers and feelings of interpersonal ina...Continue Reading

References

Jun 1, 1991·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·J A Simpson, S W Gangestad
Aug 1, 1991·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·K Bartholomew, L M Horowitz
Jan 1, 1989·Behaviour Research and Therapy·W L Marshall
Mar 1, 1987·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·C Hazan, P Shaver
Sep 1, 1966·American Journal of Public Health and the Nation's Health·S CobbW E Connelly
May 23, 2003·Developmental Psychology·Everett Waters, Theodore P Beauchaine
Jul 4, 2003·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Raymond A Knight, Judith E Sims-Knight
Mar 10, 2004·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Fiona MarsaDavid Hevey
Apr 29, 2004·The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry·Tamara S Lyn, David L Burton
May 26, 2005·Journal of Child Sexual Abuse·Raymond A Knight, Judith E Sims-Knight
Aug 27, 2005·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Dennis WaiteGerald L Brown
Aug 27, 2005·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Anton van WijkTheo Doreleijers
Dec 1, 2006·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Lorraine R Reitzel, Joyce L Carbonell
Dec 1, 2006·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Gregory A Parks, David E Bard

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 12, 2013·Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy·Judith Antonia IfflandPeer Briken
Nov 13, 2013·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Sandy K WurteleTasha Moreno
Sep 10, 2014·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·James R Worling, Calvin M Langton
May 2, 2015·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Calvin M LangtonBianca Humbert
Dec 1, 2017·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Steffen BarraMarcel Aebi
Jan 23, 2016·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Hugo B MoraisBarry R Burkhart
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
Jul 30, 2020·Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review·Frederica M MartijnMichael C Seto
Feb 5, 2021·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Adam BrownKristina Fushi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.