Comparison of sex offenders to nonoffenders on selected psychological measures

A group of 140 child molesters (59 participating in community-based sex off ender treatment programs and 81 incarcerated child molesters) were compared on a range of psychological measures to a group of 81 nonoffenders. Child molesters were found to be significantly lower in self-esteem, higher on em otional loneliness and personal distress, and to show deficits in victim em pathy. Further differences were found between high- and low-deviancy offend ers in terms of assertiveness, perspective faking, cognitive distortions re garding children, and emotional congruence with children. General empathy d id not appear to be directly related to empathy for one's own victim and th e presence of cognitive distortions was only significant in high-deviancy c hild molesters. Some victim-blaming attitudes and distorted thinking regard ing children and sex were found in the nonoffender group.