Citation

Wood E, Riggs S. Sex. Abuse 2009; 21(3): 375-390.

Affiliation

Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, USA. e.c.wood@tcu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1079063209340142

PMID

19567918

Abstract

A conceptual framework derived from attachment theory was tested examining adult romantic attachment; views of self, world/others, and the future; and cognitive distortions in a sample of 96 child molesters receiving sex offender treatment and 92 nonoffending males. Results showed a significant main effect for child molester status, with nonoffending controls reporting fewer negative perceptions of self, others, and the future; and fewer cognitive distortions regarding adult-child sex. With the exception of views of others, significant interactions were also found between child molester status and attachment categories. However, the patterns of interactions were theoretically counterintuitive and illustrated areas for future research. Overall, the findings supported theoretically based hypotheses, suggesting that attachment theory may be useful in the conceptualization and treatment of child molesters.

Language: en