SELF-ESTEEM AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SEXUAL OFFENDING

The concept of self-esteem and its measurement, and its relationship t o self-efficacy, is examined. From this survey of the research, and fr om what is known about sexual offenders, it is proposed that self-este em plays a role in the etiology and maintenance of sexual offending. I nferences are then made concerning the need to enhance the self-esteem of sexual offenders and procedures for doing this are outlined. Final ly, the need for more extensive research of the self-esteem of sexual offenders is made clear.