How Do Psychological Disorders Contribute To Sex Offending Behaviour
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Course
Forensic Psychology
Institution
University Of Derby (UoD)
There are many psychological disorders, many link to offending behaviour. This essay looks into how these disorders make sex offenders more likely to offend.
How Do Psychological Disorders Contribute To Sex Offending Behaviour
Mental illnesses encompass various mental health conditions and can potentially
contribute to an increased inclination towards criminal behaviour (Gavin, 2019). Moreover,
individuals affected by these disorders are susceptible to facing additional challenges such as
substance abuse, deteriorating physical health, and social isolation (Melvin et al., 2020). On
the other hand, intellectual disabilities entail a broad impairment of cognitive functioning,
including intelligence (Howitt, 2017). Many perpetrators of crimes often experience mental
illnesses and intellectual disabilities, which may be caused by previous traumatic events
(McMackin et al., 2002). Research has indicated a strong connection between childhood
sexual abuse, mistreatment, and various psychiatric disorders in adulthood (Johnson, 2004).
These disorders range from depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and
substance abuse to schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder. (Chen et al., 2010).
Denial also occurs within sex offending, it’s a wrongdoing that is a widespread occurrence in
cases of child sex offenses. Research suggests that those who engage in sexual offenses
frequently rely on denial as a defensive strategy (Abel et al., 1987). In the realm of sexual
offenses, eight paraphilias exist, which are also closely associated with specific paraphilic
disorders outlined in the DSM-5. Numerous studies also show that adults who report
suffering from abuse as a child have more physical and psychological problems both
medically explained and unexplained (Kellogg, 2005). Finkelhor’s (1984) model identified
that there were three factors that considered the motivations related to sexual offending
against children. These were having more of a connection for children than for adults
(emotional congruence with children), not being able to meet someone’s sexual and
emotional needs within an adult relationship and sexual arousal towards children
(paedophilia). There are many types of sex offending, these include: rape, sexual assault,
child sex abuse and indecent images of children (Legislation Gov UK, 2003). Moreover, high
, rates of recidivism are prevalent among individuals who have committed child molestation
and other criminal offenses. Cognitive distortions are significant factors in contributing to
child sex offenses. They function as a means for offenders to rationalise their actions,
allowing them to alleviate feelings of guilt and remorse and reinterpret them in a positive
light (Howitt, 2017). The purpose of this essay is to conduct a thorough examination of
psychological disorders that play a role in sex offending behaviour. The essay aims to
determine the potential connection between these psychological pathologies and sex offenses.
Paedophilia is characterised as a criminal offense and a psychosexual disorder
wherein an individual exhibits a sexual attraction towards children who are below the legal
age of consent (Gavin, 2019). This attraction typically focuses on prepubescent or early
pubescent children and tends to persist over time (Gavin, 2019). Oftentimes, individuals with
this interest may engage in sexual activities with children or have access to materials that
exploit children, without necessarily physically engaging in sexual acts with a child. Children
can also be viewed as vulnerable individuals (Capra et al., 2014), which may make them an
attractive target for adults with intellectual disabilities who seek sexual interaction. There is a
wide range of literature that characterises child sexual abuse as paedophilia, which refers to
adults having an abnormal attraction to children (Canter et al., 1998). Individuals who engage
in child sexual abuse view children as their preferred targets for sexual gratification, rather
than simply considering them as substitutes for adult partners (Canter et al., 1998). According
to Canter (1998), not all child sex offenders fit into the same category, as they exhibit
different types of offending behaviour. Research on child sex offenders has various examples
of taxonomies (Howitt, 2017). Founded by Groth and Birnbaum (1978), fixated and regressed
offenders are the primary factors of the taxonomy. Fixated offenders can be fixated on a
temporarily or permanently, but rather than the sexual interest being on adults it’s based on
children (Howitt, 2017). Regressed offenders are based on male offenders that will have fully
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