Related Experiment Videos
Alcoholism and the child molester.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Alcohol consumption and alcoholism show a strong link to child molestation. Heavy drinking was prevalent during offenses, with significant alcoholism rates found in offenders, impacting treatment considerations.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Criminology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Child molestation is a serious offense with complex contributing factors.
- The role of alcohol and alcoholism in the commission of sexual offenses requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between alcohol consumption, alcoholism, and child molestation.
- To compare drinking patterns and alcoholism rates between male and female child molesters.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of child molester case files.
- Assessment of alcohol consumption during the offense.
- Screening for alcoholism using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and the Pokorny shortened version.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of child molesters (49%) were drinking at the time of the offense, with 34% drinking heavily.
- Alcoholism rates were substantial, estimated at 52% (MAST) or 33% (Pokorny).
- Male child molesters showed a significantly lower incidence of drinking during offenses and lower alcoholism rates compared to female child molesters.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol use and alcoholism are significantly associated with child molestation.
- Gender differences in drinking patterns and alcoholism exist among child molesters.
- Findings have implications for the development of targeted treatment programs for offenders.