MMPI traits of incestuous fathers

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Incestuous behavior is a complex issue with potential underlying psychological factors.
• Understanding the psychological profiles of individuals who commit incest is crucial for intervention and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the psychological profiles of incestuous fathers and stepfathers with a control group of nonincestuous fathers.
• To identify specific MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) scale differences.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study design was employed.
• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores were analyzed for 10 incestuous fathers/stepfathers and a matched control group.
• Analyses of variance and covariance were used for statistical comparison.

Main Results:

• Incestuous fathers exhibited significantly more pathological scores on the MMPI's psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia, and schizophrenia scales compared to the control group.
• These differences indicate distinct psychological patterns in the incestuous group.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests a potential character disordered personality type among fathers involved in incestuous behavior.
• Findings highlight the importance of psychological assessment in understanding and addressing cases of father-child incest.