Preliminary Findings on Men's Sexual Self-Schema and Sexual Offending: Differences Between Subtypes of Offenders

Abstract

Available literature suggests that sexual self-schemas (i.e., cognitive generalizations about sexual aspects of oneself) influence sexual behavior. Nonetheless, there is a lack of research regarding their role in sexual offending. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the men's sexual self-schema dimensions (passionate-loving, powerful-aggressive, and open-minded-liberal) and different types of sexual-offending behavior. A total of 50 rapists, 65 child molesters (21 pedophilic, 44 nonpedophilic), and 51 nonsexual offenders answered the Men's Sexual Self-Schema Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Socially Desirable Response Set Measure (SDRS-5). Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression, controlling for age, school education, psychological distress, and social desirability. Results showed that rapists as well as nonsexual offenders were more likely to hold the powerful-aggressive sexual self-view compared to pedophilic and nonpedophilic child molesters. Overall, findings seem to be consistent with both a sociocultural component of aggression and the general cognitive profile of offenders. If further research corroborates these preliminary findings, sexual self-concept may be integrated into a comprehensive multifactorial approach of offending behavior.

Notes

¹Before participation, all participants signed a consent form that informed them about the confidentiality of their responses as well as about the protection of their personal identities. Specifically, they were assured that all collected data would be used for research purposes only and would not be transmitted to anyone within the prison context. Thus, their participation would not have any (negative) impact on their penal situation. Despite these safeguards, results may be influenced by participants’ incarcerated condition. Accordingly, we have statistically controlled some variables that may have affected the validity of their responses, namely, social desirability and psychological distress levels.

²We are currently collecting data from nonconvicted Portuguese men on sexual self-schema, given the lack of normative data in Portugal. We have already recruited 43 men with the following mean scores: Factor 1. Passionate-loving: M = 42.26, SD = 7.05; Factor 2. Powerful-aggressive: M = 43.63, SD = 8.04; Factor 3. Open-minded-liberal: M = 16.77, SD = 3.74. Regarding specifically to the powerful-aggressive dimension, we conducted two One-sample t tests, respectively, for rapists and nonsexual offenders. We found that rapists (M = 50.24, SD = 6.89) as well as nonsex offenders (M = 49.33, SD = 8.98; see Table 1) presented significantly higher scores on this dimension compared to the nonconvicted men (M = 43.63; SD = 8.04; p < .001). However, these results are only preliminary, and we will continue to collect more data, aiming to match the offender groups in terms of sociodemographics as much as possible (for instance, the 43 nonconvicted men are younger and significantly more educated than the convicted men).