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Marital relations in incest offenders.
R A Lang1, R Langevin, V van Santen
1Institute of Psychology and Law, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Marital disharmony, not sexual issues, characterized incest perpetrators. These findings highlight the need for targeted treatment focusing on emotional connection and communication in marital relationships.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Marital factors are crucial in understanding criminal behavior.
- Previous research has explored various aspects of relationships among offenders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare marital dynamics between incest perpetrators and non-offending married males.
- To identify specific marital factors differentiating these groups.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis using the Clarke Martial Relations Questionnaire (CMRQ) and the Sexual Behavior and Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (SBMSQ).
- Discriminant function analysis to classify participants based on marital variables.
Main Results:
- Incest perpetrators exhibited greater marital disharmony, including mistrust, lack of shared activities, and emotional instability.
- Sexual relations and satisfaction did not significantly differ between groups.
- Perpetrators reported less emotional connection, confiding, and perceived loneliness in their marriages.
Conclusions:
- Marital disharmony, particularly emotional disconnect, is a key characteristic of incest perpetrators.
- Findings suggest treatment goals should address emotional relationship deficits and communication patterns.