NCJ Number
149326
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1994) Pages: 155-169
Date Published
1994
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study investigated whether differences in family of origin, current family functioning, and psychological adjustment were related to a previous history of child sexual abuse (CSA) in perpetrators of father-child incest.
Abstract
It was hypothesized that perpetrators with a history of CSA would be more likely to report dysfunctional families of origin, more problems in their current family systems, and more psychological symptoms than nonabused perpetrators. Study subjects included 74 male perpetrators of incest who were referred from community mental health centers, law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies, private practitioners, and a U.S. Navy family service center. Each family completed an assessment battery that included the Family Environment Scale, the Family of Origin Scale, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and the 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire-Form C. Results showed that about 25 percent of father perpetrators reported a history of childhood victimization and that CSA was related to dysfunctional families of origin. Abused offenders had more problematic relationships with their parents and more clinically significant disturbances with their fathers. No significant differences, however, were obtained on measures of function in the family of procreation, personality profiles, or psychological symptoms. Regardless of abuse history, perpetrators reported more dysfunctional families and more psychological symptoms than normal. 34 references and 4 tables