Differences between male incest and non-incest perpetrators: A comparison between father perpetrators and non-father perpetrators
Abstract
This study investigated the question of whether there are significant differences between two categories of male perpetrators of child sexual abuse, incest perpetrators and non incest perpetrators. Incest Perpetrators, called Father Perpetrators, were men who sexually abused their own children. Non Incest Perpetrators, called Non Father Perpetrators, were men who sexually abused children who were not their own. The independent variables were separated into four groups: (1) those indicative of dysfunctional behaviors within the perpetrator's family of origin; (2) those identifying problem areas in the perpetrator's childhood; (3) those describing problem areas in the perpetrator's adult life; and (4) those which offer information about the criminal act. The sample consisted of 235 men referred to the Maine State Forensic Service for presentence evaluations prior to sentencing for conviction of child sexual abuse. The data collected were based on police records and self reports of the perpetrators, a database not previously used for research. The study employed a multimethod approach utilizing secondary data for the primary quantitative analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with a small sample of six men to give substance to the results. Data analysis utilized Chi-Square tests and logistic regressions. The findings did not support the hypotheses that there would be significant differences between the two groups on the variables studied. The results suggest that Non Father Perpetrators were more likely to be over 50 than were Father Perpetrators and less likely to have ever been married or to have fathered a biological child. However, Father Perpetrators were more likely to have been sexually victimized as children than were Non Father Perpetrators. Findings of few significant differences support the underlying assumption of the existence of a regression-fixation continuum; suggested that the categories of incest and non incest are not the most relevant classifications; and offer support for a multifactor theory to explain the sexual abuse of children. Given the limitations, the results of this study suggest that practitioners could provide similar treatment for both types of perpetrators.
Recommended Citation
Susan A Bouchard,
"Differences between male incest and non-incest perpetrators: A comparison between father perpetrators and non-father perpetrators"
(January 1, 1992).
Boston College Dissertations and Theses.
Paper AAI9232377.
http://escholarship.bc.edu/dissertations/AAI9232377
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