NCJ Number
192392
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 19-30
Editor(s)
Connie Isaac
Date Published
January 2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the differences between child molesters (CM) and nonsexual offenders (NSO) from a forensic facility in their report on the Wilson Sex Fantasy Questionnaire (WSFQ).
Abstract
The Wilson Sex Fantasy Questionnaire (WSFQ) is a method to assess the dynamics of sexual fantasy. It is a self-report questionnaire assessing four types of sexual fantasies: exploratory, intimate, impersonal, and sadomasochistic. The current study examined the differences between child molesters (CM) and nonsexual offenders (NSO) on the WSFQ. Other comparisons included two additional factors, Active and Passive, to address the role of the fantasizer. The study consisted of 105 patients, 64 CM and 41 NSO, from a maximum-security State forensic mental health institution in the Midwestern United States. The WSFQ was administered to the participants. Results indicated that CM in the study reported significantly higher levels of sexual fantasies on both the exploratory and intimate fantasy scales and similar on the impersonal and sadomasochistic. Analysis of Active and Passive subscales detected differences between CM and NSO. CM showed higher levels of Active fantasies than NSO with both showing similar levels of Passive fantasies. The WSFQ demonstrated limited value as a research and clinical tool among offenders. It was suggested that the establishment of normative standards for the WSFQ among offender populations would aid the interpretation of factor scores. The WSFQ was viewed as not the best measure available for use among sexual offending populations. References