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Incest: what do we really know about it?
1Department of Psychiatry, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth, WA.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Incest literature reveals a weak scientific basis. While sexual intercourse occurs in under 1% of the population, intrafamilial sexual activity affects 10% of females by age 16, with adverse effects noted.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Current understanding of incest is limited by small, selected clinical samples.
- Epidemiological studies show inconsistent prevalence rates for incest.
- Lack of robust data hinders clear understanding of incest's scope and impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on incest.
- To identify gaps in scientific knowledge regarding incest.
- To summarize current findings on prevalence and effects of intrafamilial sexual activity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications on incest.
- Analysis of epidemiological studies on general populations.
- Synthesis of findings from clinical and court-derived samples.
Main Results:
- Incestuous sexual intercourse affects less than 1% of the population.
- Intrafamilial sexual activity may impact up to 10% of females before age 16.
- Long-term effects are unclear but generally adverse, particularly with violence and targeting young children.
Conclusions:
- The scientific basis for incest knowledge is insecure.
- Prevalence data is inconsistent, but intrafamilial sexual activity is a significant concern.
- Incest experiences, especially violent ones, have markedly adverse effects on children.