A Descriptive Model of Dysfunctional Cognitions in Child Molesters

Abstract

Distorted or maladaptive thinking is widely acknowledged as an important variable in both the initiation and maintenance of sexual offending. The aim of this study was to develop a descriptive model to classify sex offenders' cognitions concerning their offending behavior. Offense descriptions were obtained from 20 incarcerated male child sex offenders undergoing assessment for a sex offender treatment program. A data-driven approach to model development—grounded theory—was taken in the qualitative analysis of these offense accounts. The resulting model consisted of four categories: offense chain, cognitive operations, cognitive content, and metavariables. To determine its content validity and reliability, the model was applied to the offense descriptions of a sample of 25 incarcerated child molesters also undergoing pretreatment assessment. Results suggest that the model has provisional validity and adequate interrater reliability. Finally, the authors discuss the theoretical and clinical implications of the model.