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An Examination of Parental and Peer Attachment Relationships and Social Skills of Adolescent Sexual Offenders

Holmberg, Jennifer Kristan

Abstract Details

2000, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Sexual Offending is a critical problem, affecting thousands of children every year. Juvenile offenders commit a substantial portion of sexual crimes, accounting for almost 20% of all arrests related to sexual offenses (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1997). Further, the fact that a majority (i.e., 60 -80%) of adult sexual offenders began offending as adolescents (Abel & Rouleau, 1990; Groth, Longo, & McFadin, 1982) highlights the importance of exploring environmental factors that may contribute to the etiology and maintenance of adolescent sexual offending. The current study was designed to investigate a number of specific elements in Marshall's (1989; 1993) model of adult sexual offending as this model relates to adolescent sexual offending. Parental and peer attachments and social skills were examined in a sample of incarcerated, adolescent sexual offenders. Results indicated significant correlations between attachment to parents and peers, as well as significant relationships between parental/peer attachments and social skills. Results did not, however, confirm hypotheses with regard to variability with the offender population on measures of attachment and social skills based on offense characteristics (i.e., victim/offender age difference; use of overt coercion/force). Findings do provide preliminary support for a similar model to Marshall's (1989; 1993) theory of adult sexual offending for adolescent offenders. Future research directions regarding specific variables relevant to adolescent populations within Marshall's model as well as prevention and treatment implications are discussed.
Steven Beck (Advisor)
Keith Kaufman (Committee Member)
John Gibbs (Committee Member)
144 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Holmberg, J. K. (2000). An Examination of Parental and Peer Attachment Relationships and Social Skills of Adolescent Sexual Offenders [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392115782

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Holmberg, Jennifer. An Examination of Parental and Peer Attachment Relationships and Social Skills of Adolescent Sexual Offenders. 2000. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392115782.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Holmberg, Jennifer. "An Examination of Parental and Peer Attachment Relationships and Social Skills of Adolescent Sexual Offenders." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2000. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392115782

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)