Factors Related to Attribution of Blame in Father-Daughter Incest

Abstract

Attribution of blame in father-daughter incest using the Jackson Incest Blame Scale and the Attitudes Towards Incest Scale--Revised was investigated through a questionnaire mailed to a random sample of the general adult population. 300 respondents completed the questionnaires (207 women, 93 men). Based on factor analyses, five blame subscales were identified for the Jackson Incest Blame Scale, i.e., Victim, Situational, Societal, Offender, and Offender Mental Status, the last being unique to this study. Ratings by men attributed more blame on the Victim and Situational subscales than did those by women. Scores for 51 victims of childhood sexual abuse on the Jackson Incest Blame Scale did not differ from those of 249 nonvictims. Scores on subscales of the Attitudes Towards Incest Scale--Revised (Credibility, Power, Parental Role, Victimization) were moderately correlated with ratings on Jackson's scale. More total blame and more blame of victim were associated with lower rated credibility towards a claim of incest; lower rated blame of victim was related to greater recognition of the incestuous father's coercive role.

College Students' Attribution of Blame in Father–Daughter Incest

“…The support of Hypothesis 1, the attribution of blame in incest is multidimensional, was not surprising because similar results have been found in earlier studies (Adams, 1987;Jackson & Ferguson, 1983;McKenzie & Calder, 1993;Staley & Lapidus, 1997). These findings indicate that incest prevention and educational programs should continue to use multiple means to reach the broad spectrum of society, thereby touching on each of the four attribution factors.…”

“…Within the past few decades, empirical studies have attempted to measure attribution of blame in father-daughter incest (Adams, 1987;Jackson & Ferguson, 1983;McKenzie & Calder, 1993;Staley & Lapidus, 1997). Although affirming that incest is caused by multidimensional factors, a major outcome of these studies was that in every study male participants blamed the victims more than female participants blamed the victim (Adams, 1987;Jackson & Ferguson, 1983;McKenzie & Calder, 1993;Staley & Lapidus, 1997). Men in these studies believed the victims provoked and were responsible for the incest because they used bad judgment or acted seductively and deserved what they got.…”

Victim responsibility, credibility, and verdict in a simulated rape case: Application of Weiner's attribution model

“…Importantly for the present study, research also demonstrates that the perception of a victim's responsibility reduces a victim's credibility in the courtroom (McKenzie & Calder, 1993;Wenger & Bornstein, 2006) and the likelihood of conviction (Angelone et al, 2006;Fischer, 1995;Rye, Greatrix, & Enright, 2006;Wenger & Bornstein, 2006). Given the serious implications of the relationship between victim responsibility and juror decision making, it is important to understand why perceived victim responsibility reduces credibility and defendant guilt.…”

“…Research in the courtroom literature indicates that there is a relationship between perceived victim responsibility and verdict (Angelone et al , 2006; Fischer, 1995; Rye et al , 2006; Wenger & Bornstein, 2006), as well as a relationship between victim responsibility and credibility (McKenzie & Calder, 1993; Wenger & Bornstein, 2006). The purpose of the present study was to understand why victim responsibility consistently influences verdict and credibility.…”

Korean nurses' perceptions of child sexual abuse

“…A study by McKenzie and Calder (1993) examined factors related to attribution of blame in father-daughter incest with a random sample of the general adult population.…”