Sexual Offenders' State-of-Mind Regarding Childhood Attachment: A Controlled Investigation

Abstract

Attachment experiences have been regarded as significant by researchers and clinicians attempting to explain the etiology of sexual offending. Although initial studies have revealed some promising evidence, there are a number of theoretical and methodological problems with this preliminary body of work. While addressing these limitations, the goal of the present study was to investigate state-of-mind regarding childhood attachment among subtypes of sexual offenders, comparing them to both a sample of nonsexual offenders and to the documented patterns of nonoffenders. Sixty-one sexual offenders (extrafamilial child molesters, incest offenders, and rapists) and 40 nonsexual offenders (violent and nonviolent) were administered the "Adult Attachment Interview." Results indicated that the majority of sexual offenders were insecure, representing a marked difference from normative samples. Although insecurity of attachment was common to all groups of offenders, there were important differences in regard to the specific type of insecurity. Most notable were the child molesters, who were significantly more likely to be Preoccupied. Rapists, violent offenders, and, to a lesser degree, incest offenders were more likely to be Dismissing. Although still most likely to be Dismissing, nonviolent offenders were comparatively more Secure.

Adult Attachment, Cognitive Distortions, and Views of Self, Others, and the Future Among Child Molesters

“…Consistent with theory, research indicates that sex offenders are more likely to display insecure adult attachment styles than nonoffending males or victims of abuse (Jamieson & Marshall 2000;Sawle & Kear-Colwell, 2001;Stirpe, Abracen, Stermac, & Wilson, 2006;Ward et al, 1996). For example, rapists have been found more likely than controls to display dismissing attachment, which is associated with the extreme hostility and devaluation of others (Baker & Beech, 2004).…”

“…Although the measure of social desirability indicated a tendency for the child molesters to underreport, significant group differences remained on all outcome variables suggesting that the CTI and CMS are useful instruments with this population. Nonetheless, the use of interviews conducted by trained examiners might improve the methodology of studies assessing the sex offender population (Stirpe et al, 2006). In addition, a selection bias might have occurred as nonoffending controls willing to participate in child abuse research may not represent the general population.…”

Attachment Models in Incarcerated Sex Offenders: A Preliminary Italian Study Using the Adult Attachment Interview

“…In addition, insecure childhood attachment, particularly insecure attachment to father, was associated with higher levels of antisocial behavior, aggression, and coercive sexual behavior (1,21). More specifically, a link between the type of sexual offense and the style of attachment of sex offenders has also been reported (7,8,22). Based on Bartholomew's two-dimensional model (23), Ward et al (22) found that child sex offenders were predominantly classified as having worried or fearful styles of attachment, whereas rapists were predominantly characterized by dismissingavoidant attachment styles.…”

“…Marshall's paper generated a burst of research activity that has focused on intimacy deficits and poor adult attachments in sexual offenders. This research has convincingly demonstrated serious deficits in these skills among sexual offenders (3,(5)(6)(7)(8). Moreover, there is now convincing evidence that treatment directed to sexual offenders can be effective (9,10).…”

“…In addition, insecure childhood attachment, particularly insecure attachment to father, was associated with higher levels of antisocial behavior, aggression, and coercive sexual behavior . More specifically, a link between the type of sexual offense and the style of attachment of sex offenders has also been reported . Based on Bartholomew's two‐dimensional model , Ward et al.…”