How Incest Offenders Overcome Internal Inhibitions Through the Use of Cognitions and Cognitive Distortions

Abstract

This study explored the victimization process of incestuous child sexual abuse, focusing specifically on the cognitions incest offenders use to overcome their initial inhibitions against offending and to maintain their offending behavior once begun. The research design was a qualitative, grounded theory approach, involving a series of three intensive, in-person interviews with eight Caucasian, male incest offenders currently in treatment for a sexual offense. All the offenders abused a biological, step-, or adoptive daughter. The cognitions identified are grouped into four separate categories: (1) cognitions related to sociocultural factors; (2) cognitions used to overcome the fear of disclosure; (3) cognitions used to diminish responsibility; and (4) cognitions related to permission seeking. Findings are discussed within the context of new theory on the role of cognitions in sexual offending.