title: Predictors of child molestation: adult attachment, cognitive distortions, and empathy.
abstract: A conceptual model derived from attachment theory was tested by examining adult attachment style, cognitive distortions, and both general and victim empathy in a sample of 61 paroled child molesters and 51 community controls. Results of logistic multiple regression showed that attachment anxiety, cognitive distortions, high general empathy but low victim empathy significantly increased the odds of child molester status. Findings supported theoretically based hypotheses, suggesting that attachment theory may be useful in the conceptualization and treatment of child molesters.
authors.affiliation: University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riggs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D014481:United States