Abstract
One hundred and thirty mothers of adolescent sexual perpetrators were interviewed. Mothers of incest perpetrators (n = 48) were compared to mothers of non-incest perpetrators (n = 82). Results indicated that significantly more mothers of incest perpetrators reported having been physically and sexually abused, having a sexual dysfunction, and having been in prior psychotherapy. With regard to their sons, a higher percentage of mothers of incest perpetrators reported that they believed their son had committed the sexual offense, was in need of treatment, and had a history of being physically abused. Additionally, a significantly lower percentage of incest perpetrators had involvement with the juvenile justice system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abel, G. G., Mittelman, M., and Becker, J. V. (1985). Sex offenders: Results of assessment and recommendations for treatment. In Ben-Aron, M. H., Hucker, S. J. Hucker, and Webster, C. D. (eds.),Clinical Criminology: Assessment and Treatment of Criminal Behavior. Toronto, M and M Graphics, LTD., pp. 191–205.
Bandura, A., and Walters, R. H. (1959).Adolescent Aggression. New York. Ronald Press.
Becker, J. V., Cunningham-Rathner, J., and Kaplan, M. S. (1986). Adolescent sexual offenders: Demographic, criminal and sexual histories, and recommendations for reducing future offenses.J. Interpers. Viol. 1: 431–445.
Becker, J. V., Kaplan, M. S., Cunningham-Rathner, J., Kovoussi, R. (1986). Characteristics of adolescent incest sexual perpetrators: Preliminary findings.J. Fam. Viol. 1: 85–97.
Cooper, I., and Cormier, B. (1982). Inter-generational transmission of incest.Can. J. Psychiatry 27: 231–235.
Davis, G. E., and Leitenberg, H. (1987). Adolescent sex offenders.Psych. Bull., 101: 417–427.
Farrington, D. P. (1978). The family backgrounds of aggressive youths. In Hersov, L. A., Berger, M., and Shaffer, D. (eds.),Aggression and Anti-Social Behavior in Childhood and Adolescence, New York, Pergamon Press.
Glaser, D. (1978). Evaluation of sex offender treatment programs. In Brecher, E. (ed.),Treatment programs for sex offenders. Washington, D. C., National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.
Helfer, Ray E. (1987).The Battered Child, (fourth edition), Chicago, Ill., University of Chicago Press, (pp. 66–67).
Justice, B., and Justice, R. (1979).The Broken Taboo, Human Sciences Press, New York, (pp. 198–199).
Kaplan, M. S., Becker, J. V., and Cunningham-Rathner, J. (1988). Characteristics of parents of adolescent incest perpetrators: Preliminary findings.J. Fam. Viol. 3: 183–191.
Lewis, A. N., Shankok, S. S., and Pincus, J. H. (1979). Juvenile male sexual assaulters.Am. J. Psy., 136: 1194–1196.
Loeber, R., and Dishion, T. (1983). Early predictors of male delinquency: A review.Psych. Bull. 94: 68–99.
Mrazek, P. (1981). The nature of incest: A review of contributing factors. In Mrazek, P., and Kempe, H. (eds.),Sexually Abused Children and Their Families. New York, Pergamon Press.
Patterson, G. R. and Stouthamer-Loeber, J. (1984). The correlation of family management practices and delinquency.Child Devel. 55: 1299–1307.
Van Ness, S. R. (1984).Rape as Instrumental Violence: A Study of Youth Offenders, New York, Haworth Press, Inc.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kaplan, M.S., Becker, J.V. & Martinez, D.F. A comparison of mothers of adolescent incest vs. non-incest perpetrators. J Fam Viol 5, 209–214 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00980816
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00980816