NCJ Number
105125
Journal
Behavioral Sciences and the Law Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1985) Pages: 341-354
Date Published
1985
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes some traditional clinical concepts held by community-based mental health professionals in their work with adults who have sexually abused children and proposes an alternative clinical perspective.
Abstract
Traditional clinical concepts of child molesters are that they are either fixated or regressed, incestuous or pedophilic. Mental health professionals also commonly believe there is a typical profile of child molesters. Empirical evidence does not support these traditional concepts. Empirical data support viewing child molesters according to clinical dimensions which characterize adults' sexual use of children. These dimensions include denial, sexual arousal, sexual fantasies, cognitive distortions, and social skills deficits. Other dimensions related to child sexual abuse include alcohol or drug abuse, depression, poor self-concept, problems in relationships, impulsive behavior, and difficulty in controlling or expressing anger. Assessment and treatment should address those clinical dimensions of the problem manifest in each child molester. 1 table, 1 figure, and 35 references. (Author abstract modified)