Increasing the Self-Esteem of Child Molesters

Abstract

Thirty-two child molesters received self-esteem enhancement procedures as part of an overall treatment program. The effects of the self-esteem procedures were evahiated in terms of changes on the Social Self-esteem Inventory. It was found that the procedures significantly enhanced self-esteem. These changes were significantly related to reductions in loneliness and increases in intimacy but were unrelated to improvements in victim empathy despite the fact that victim empathy and self-esteem scores were significantly correlated at pretreatment. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and treatment.