Developmental Antecedents of Sexual Aggression

• NCJ Number: 120280
• Author(s): R A Prentky; R A Knight; J E Sims-Knight; H Straus; F Rokous; D Cerce
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 49 pages
• Grant Number(s): 82-IJ-CX-0058; MH32309
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); National Institute of Mental Health; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: Massachusetts Treatment Ctr
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Reprint from Development and Psychopathology, in press, 1989

Annotation

A study of 82 sex offenders incarcerated at the Massachusetts Treatment Center suggests that childhood experiences with caregivers and disruption of caregiver relationships may be important to understanding sexual aggression in adulthood.

Abstract

Brief structured clinical interview data and institutional history up to age 18 were examined and coded. Four factors were derived from principal components analysis, and multiple regression analyses were performed with two noteworthy results. First, distinct aspects of developmental history were related to sexual and non-sexual aggression in adulthood. Associated with the severity of sexual aggression were caregiver inconstancy and sexual deviation in the family. Related to the severity of non-sexual aggression were childhood and juvenile institutional history and physical abuse and neglect. Second, the severity of aggression rather than the frequency of crimes was predicted by developmental history, a finding contrary to previous studies of criminal populations. 7 tables, 74 references. (Author abstract modified)