Adult Attachment and Sexual Offender Status

This study investigates whether insecure attachment distinguishes sexual from nonsexual offenders and whether insecure attachment is reflected in the choices of victims, modus operandi, and nature of the sexual acts. Incarcerated male sexual and nonsexual offenders were surveyed. Insecure attachment distinguished sexual offenders from nonsexual offenders but was not related to the characteristics of the sexual offenses, with the exception of victim age. The methodological, theoretical, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed, and an alternative line of inquiry is proposed

Attachment theory · Developmental psychology · Insecure attachment · Sexual behavior · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Clinical Psychology · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology

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