A Comparison of Relational Attitude and Personality Disorders in the Explanation of Child Molestation

This study examined parental sensitivity, relational attitude (i.e., trust, friendship, adult romantic attachment), and personality disorders in the aetiology of sexual offences among a group of 84 child molesters and a matched normal control group ( n = 80). The child molesters were selected from either a community-based, educational training program ( n = 51), or a Belgium prison ( n = 33). Analyses using structural equation modeling found that both relational attitude and personality disorders differentiated between the child molesters and the comparison group. Implications for the aetiology and treatment of child molesting is discussed.