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Adult Attachment, Cognitive Distortions, and Views of Self, Others, and the Future Among Child MolestersTexas Christian University, Fort Worth, e.c.wood{at}tcu.edu
University of North Texas, Denton 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.
Key Words: child molestation cognitive distortions sexual abuse
This version was published on September
1, 2009 Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, Vol. 21, No. 3,
375-390 (2009) |
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