Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 24-26, 54-55, 75-76).

Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 2000. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2956. Typescript. Includes "Glossary" (leaves 192-194). Copy 2 in Main Collection. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-191).

Despite social and legal consequences, child molesters engage in sexual activities with children. Speculation as to why molesters choose children as their sexual partners was examined from seven perspectives: psychodynamic, attachment, three mental functions, psychopathic, physiological, learning, and third force theories. The potential causal variables suggested by these theories were coded using information from the files of 200 male adolescent and adult child molesters. Variables were analyzed using Ward's minimum variance clustering technique to develop a psychological classification system based on child molesters' motivations. Five-cluster solutions were discovered when using either the adolescent or adult child molesters' samples. Clusters from the adolescent sample were labeled: Stable (47%), Pedophilic (13%), Disturbed Conduct (15%), Psychopathic Tendencies (10%), and Dysfunctional Families (15%). The clusters from the adult sample were remarkably similar, yet there were differences. These clusters were labeled Mentally Unstable (25%), Mentally Stable (40%), Brain Damage/Head Injuries (14%), Psychopathic Tendencies (10%), and Dysfunctional Families (11%). Using a split-half test, four of the five clusters for both samples appear to be stable. Only the clusters based on psychiatric diagnoses of pedophilia were unstable when these diagnoses were eliminated from the analysis. Although validation of the five-cluster solution using contrasting variables for the adolescent sample was weak, the five-cluster solution for the adult sample was convincingly validated.

Thesis (MPsych(Clin))--University of South Australia, 1998

Thesis (M.S.)--Northwest Missouri State University, 2008. / The full text of the thesis is included in the pdf file. Title from title screen of full text.pdf file (viewed on May 28, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Despite social and legal consequences, child molesters engage in sexual activities with children. Speculation as to why molesters choose children as their sexual partners was examined from seven perspectives: psychodynamic, attachment, three mental functions, psychopathic, physiological, learning, and third force theories. The potential causal variables suggested by these theories were coded using information from the files of 200 male adolescent and adult child molesters. Variables were analyzed using Ward's minimum variance clustering technique to develop a psychological classification system based on child molesters' motivations. Five-cluster solutions were discovered when using either the adolescent or adult child molesters' samples. Clusters from the adolescent sample were labeled: Stable (47%), Pedophilic (13%), Disturbed Conduct (15%), Psychopathic Tendencies (10%), and Dysfunctional Families (15%). The clusters from the adult sample were remarkably similar, yet there were differences. These clusters were labeled Mentally Unstable (25%), Mentally Stable (40%), Brain Damage/Head Injuries (14%), Psychopathic Tendencies (10%), and Dysfunctional Families (11%). Using a split-half test, four of the five clusters for both samples appear to be stable. Only the clusters based on psychiatric diagnoses of pedophilia were unstable when these diagnoses were eliminated from the analysis. Although validation of the five-cluster solution using contrasting variables for the adolescent sample was weak, the five-cluster solution for the adult sample was convincingly validated. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

No description available.

This study utilized a qualitative/phenomenological research methodology to study the development of child molestation. Five volunteer male juvenile perpetrators of child molestation and their consenting family members participated in three one-on-one in-depth interviews. The juveniles were referred by juvenile justice departments in Texas. The investigation was pursued along three paths: (1) what factors in the perpetrators' life experiences may have influenced the formation of molesting thought and behavior patterns? (2) how did the perpetrators construe social relationships? (3) in developing sexual preference, what process did the perpetrators utilize to achieve the degree of sexual arousal needed to motivate the act of molestation? During analysis, 16 categories and 9 subcategories were developed from the data; these were evaluated in order to address the lines of inquiry listed above. Factors contributing toward deviancy were identified: these included general environmental factors and relationship issues with both parents and peers. The data also elucidated the perpetrators' characteristic ways of viewing themselves and other people, as well as the strategies that they relied upon to cope with their lives. These same strategies were subsequently used in their molesting. The results revealed that the answers to the investigational questions posed above were synthesized by the individual across the lifespan, with origins in childhood when the concepts of self, others, social convention and interpersonal relationships were forming. It is likely that the typical interest in sexual expression that occurs at the onset of puberty was a catalyst that facilitated molesting behavior. The lack of ability to interact successfully with age mates appeared to influence the perpetrators' selection of children as targets. Recommendations were presented for consideration by the mental health and criminal justice communities based on the findings. Also, preventative measures for the public sector were offered.

Thesis (M. A.)--Roger Williams University, 2010. / Title from title page screen (viewed on May, 2010) Includes bibliographical references.

Objective: This thesis set out to investigate whether there were differences between juveniles who had either sexually offended against children (child molesters) or against adult women/female peers (sexual assaulters), and between both these groups and non-sexual violent offenders and property offenders. The groups were compared across a range of demographic, developmental, family, educational, offence, and psychological variables, including IQ, attribution of criminal behaviour, masculine identity, perception of parenting style, relationship with parents, and attitudes toward rape and rape victims. Method: Four groups of 27 male British juveniles who admitted their offending were compared, matched for age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Many of the participants had been referred to Glenthorne Youth Treatment Centre, and had committed the most serious types of sexual and violent offences. Background data were collated from case-notes and other archival sources using a structured proforma. Participants were also seen by the researcher for administration of a battery of psychometric tests and questionnaires. Results: A number of between-group differences were found, especially in the child molesters, who were found to have significantly more social, developmental, and learning problems; to be less delinquent and antisocial; more extensively sexually victimized; and less violent in their sexual offending. However, a minority had been sexually violent. The sexual assaulters were more likely to be dissatisfied with parental care and relationships, especially with father; have a hypermasculine sexual identity; and to hold calloused sexual attitudes, and rape-supportive beliefs and attitudes. The gender-socialization theory of male sexual aggression toward women was supported. A subgroup of extremely delinquent, violent juvenile sex offenders was also identified, composed of child molesters and sexual assaulters. Conclusions: The differences found between sexual assaulters and child molesters, and the existence of a mixed-group of extremely antisocial juvenile sex offenders, have implications for the treatment and classification of juvenile sex offenders. Generic intervention programmes for young offenders should adopt behavioural and thinking skill-development approaches to reduce the risk of criminal behaviour, including sexual crime. Sex-offencespecific treatment should be targeted more closely at the minority of high-risk, sexually deviant young offenders. Typologies of juvenile sex offenders also need to be revisited