Sexual Offenders’ State-of-Mind Regarding Childhood Attachment: A Controlled Investigation

Abstract

Attachment experiences have been regarded as significant by researchers and clinicians attempting to explain the etiology of sexual offending. Although initial studies have revealed some promising evidence, there are a number of theoretical and methodological problems with this preliminary body of work. While addressing these limitations, the goal of the present study was to investigate state-of-mind regarding childhood attachment among subtypes of sexual offenders, comparing them to both a sample of nonsexual offenders and to the documented patterns of nonoffenders. Sixty-one sexual offenders (extrafamilial child molesters, incest offenders, and rapists) and 40 nonsexual offenders (violent and nonviolent) were administered the "Adult Attachment Interview." Results indicated that the majority of sexual offenders were insecure, representing a marked difference from normative samples. Although insecurity of attachment was common to all groups of offenders, there were important differences in regard to the specific type of insecurity. Most notable were the child molesters, who were significantly more likely to be Preoccupied. Rapists, violent offenders, and, to a lesser degree, incest offenders were more likely to be Dismissing. Although still most likely to be Dismissing, nonviolent offenders were comparatively more Secure.

Sexual offenders’ parental and adult attachments and preferences for therapists’ interpersonal qualities

“…Greater proportions of sex offenders report insecure adult attachment styles compared to non-offenders (Baker & Beech, 2004;Jamieson & Marshall, 2000;Marsa et al, 2004;Sawle & Kear-Colwell, 2001;Smallbone & Dadds, 1998) or normative non-offender data (Stirpe, Abracen, Stermac, & Wilson, 2006;Ward, Hudson, & Marshall, 1996). This was only observed for non-familial sex offenders who had abused children in Jamieson and Marshall's (2000) study, with no differences demonstrated between incest offenders and community controls, suggesting a complex relationship might exist in relation to adult attachment and different groups of sex offenders.…”

“…This was only observed for non-familial sex offenders who had abused children in Jamieson and Marshall's (2000) study, with no differences demonstrated between incest offenders and community controls, suggesting a complex relationship might exist in relation to adult attachment and different groups of sex offenders. Stirpe et al (2006) found that child molesters were more likely to have preoccupied insecure attachments, while incest offenders and rapists were more likely to have dismissing insecure attachments. Ward et al (1996) found that child molesters were more fearful or preoccupied and less dismissive than rapists, who were similar to violent offenders.…”

“…However, Smallbone and Dadds (1998) observed no differences between rapists and intra-familial or extra-familial child sexual abusers. With the exception of two studies (Lyn & Burton, 2005;Marsa et al, 2004), differences between sex offenders (e.g., adult-victim and child-victim offenders) and other groups of offenders have not been consistently observed in the majority of studies (Baker & Beech, 2000;Jamieson & Marshall, 2000;Smallbone & Dadds, 1998;Stirpe et al, 2006;Ward et al, 1996). Thus, insecure adult attachment might be a general criminal vulnerability factor that increases the propensity to engage in antisocial (and for some sexually abusive) behaviours.…”

“…Hence, "a therapist can serve as a safe haven and a secure base from which clients can explore and reflect on painful memories and experiences." (Mikulincer, Shaver, & Berant, 2013, p.607) The development of a secure therapeutic relationship, therefore, may provide an otherwise insecurely attached individual with a safe place from which to explore and challenge maladaptive relational schemas and behavioural responses (Baker & Beech, 2004;Lyon, Gelso, Fischer, & Silva, 2007;Stirpe et al, 2006). In this regard, Smallbone and McHugh (2010) demonstrated in a sample of incarcerated adult male sex offenders a significant increase in secure attachment, and a decrease in fearful-avoidant attachment from pre to post-treatment, although no differences were found for preoccupied-anxious or dismissive-avoidant attached individuals.…”

Attachment styles among a sample of Estonian adult male offenders

“…The focus of previous studies among adult male inmates in different countries was mainly comparing sexual offenders with violent offenders revealing that these two groups did not differ significantly in terms of insecure (anxious, avoidant) attachment styles: Abracen et al, (2006;Canadian prisons);Baker, & Beech (2004;English prisons); Hudson & Ward (1997;New Zealand prison);Marsa et al, (2004;Irish prisons); Stripe et al (2006;Canadian prison) ;Ward, Hudson, & Marshall (1996; New Zealand prison). The violent offenders were also noted to be similar to the rapists in that they tended to be more dismissive/avoidant in their attachment styles (Stripe et al, 2006;Ward et al, 1996).…”