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Journal of Interpersonal Violence
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Attachment Styles and Psychological Profiles of Child Sex Offenders in Ireland

Fiona Marsa

Trinity College Dublin

Gary O’Reilly

Alan Carr

University College Dublin

Paul Murphy

Maura O’Sullivan

Irish Prison Clinical Psychology Service

Anthony Cotter

Irish Probation Service

David Hevey

Trinity College Dublin

When 29 child sex offenders, 30 violent offenders, 30 nonviolent offenders, and 30 community controls were compared, a secure adult attachment style was 4 times less common in the child sex offender group than in any of the other three groups. Ninety-three percent of sex offenders had an insecure adult attachment style. Compared with community controls, the child sex offender group reported significantly lower levels of maternal and paternal care and significantly higher levels of maternal and paternal overprotection during their childhood. Compared with all three comparison groups, the child sexual offenders reported significantly more emotional loneliness and a more external locus of control. With respect to anger management, the child sexual offenders’ profile more closely approximated those of nonviolent offenders and community controls than that of violent offenders.

Key Words: child sexual abuse • perpetrators • attachment • bonding • loneliness • locus of control • anger

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 19, No. 2, 228-251 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0886260503260328
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