Significance of partner relationship in the aetiology of child sexual offending
Significance of partner relationship in the aetiology of child sexual offending

Summary/Abstract: The article describes a research project on the significance of the partner relationship for the child sex offending. Research of the issue was conducted on the basis of recognised theoretical models and analysis of research concerning the aetiology of the commitment of paedophilic acts. It has been assumed that the permanent characteristics of an individual: attachment style, empathy, social competences, cognitive representation of intimate partner relations, as well as the nature of real, intimate relations formed, are linked to the paedophilic offences. In the research conducted, the results of a group of male child sex offenders imprisoned in Poland (n=25) were compared with those of a group of men from the general population (n=25). The selection of the groups was based on a matched-pairs design, taking into account their age and education. Within the group of perpetrators, important individual characteristics for this context were identified: lower intensity of a secure attachment style and social competences. The results also indicated lesser availability of cognitive representations of partner and sexual relations in this group. In terms of real relationships formed, a significantly lower incidence of formalisation of partner relations (marriage) was noted. However, no differences were found in terms of the stated willingness to react empathically during social contact, the intensity of preoccupied and anxious attachment styles, and important contents of the cognitive representation of closeness and abuse in partner relations. The obtained results were interpreted with regard to previous research on the issue, with which they are principally consistent.

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