Object Relations and Victimization Histories of Juvenile Sex Offenders (From Handbook of Sex Offender Treatment, P 13-1 - 13-40, 2011, Barbara K. Schwartz, ed. - See NCJ-243091)

• NCJ Number: 243104
• Author(s): Alejandro Leguizamo, Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 40 pages
• Sale Source: Civic Research Institute, Inc
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter explains and tests object-relations theory and its application to sexual victimization and sexual aggression, with attention to the usefulness of object-relations theory in the study of juvenile sexual aggression.

Abstract

Object-relations theory emphasizes the relationship between the individual and the original object (caretaker) and the influence that relationship has on the individual's social functioning. The relationship between the individual and the caretaker engenders what object relational theorists call object representations. Object representations refer to the conscious and unconscious mental structures, including cognitive, affective, and experiential components of interpersonal interactions. The chapter's subsections on object-relations theory address how object relations explain an individual's affective regulation; how distorted representations interact in a reciprocal manner; how trauma modified the quality of object relations; and how trauma may cause the internalization of the abusive interaction. Distinguishing adaptive from maladaptive responses to trauma is also discussed. A major portion of the chapter covers the methodology and findings of a study that assessed the object relations and victimization histories of juvenile sex offenders. The study found that for those subjects who reported a history of sexual abuse, more of the sex offenders reported being persuaded to comply with the abuse; whereas, more general delinquents reported that the perpetrator used a weapon to force them to comply. For those who agreed to comply with the abuse, the resulting confusion and guilt may be paired with a sense of being responsible for the sexual molestation. If the child enjoyed the sexual attention, this may lead the child to initiate sexual contact in expressing affection. On the other hand, the study found that if the abusive event was physically traumatic, anger was combined with a sense of powerlessness. This may lead the child to sexually attack others when he/she feels slighted. 14 tables and 82 references