An Examination of Variables Differentiating Clinical Subtypes of Incestuous Child Molesters

An Examination of Variables Differentiating Clinical Subtypes of Incestuous Child Molesters

Recent research has focused on attempting to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the perpetration of child sexual abuse. Identification of variables differentiating clinical subtypes of child molesters is central to theory assessment andpractice specificity and innovation. The present study utilized the MMPI to assess the impact of thefollowing variables in a sample of 90 incestuous molesters: a) history of physical abuse as a child; b) history of sexual abuse as a child; c) presence of substance abuse during the molestation; d) number of incidents of perpetrated sexual molestation; e) relationship to the child; f) victim's age; and g) type of molestation. Results revealed statistical differences between child molesters on variables b, c, and d with particular clinical relevance found for variable b. Implications of the findings are discussed.