Cognitive distortions of sexual victimizers of children and adolescents: associations with experiences in the family of origin, early maladaptive schemas, self-esteem and selfefficacy

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive distortions of child sexual offenders have been researched because they might be the foundation for tort conduct. Objective: the aim of this study was to analyze cognitive distortions in individuals convicted for statutory rape against children and/or teenagers and verify connections with their family of origin, early maladaptive schema, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, as well as to assess the predictive power of these variables in the occurrence of cognitive distortions. Method: this was a descriptive, correlational and explanatory research performed with 49 men currently serving time without parole. The following instruments were administered: Family Background Questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, as well as a documentary review of the legal proceedings of the participants. Results: the study revealed connections between cognitive distortions and substance abuse by the father (r=0,417; p=0,034), as well as vulnerability to harm (r=0,416; p=0,008), defectiveness (r=0,405; p=0,013), and grandiosity (r=0,339; p=0,040) schema. The vulnerability to harm scheme was the only predictive variable for cognitive distortions, accounting for 73,4 % of the variance. Conclusion: importance of analyzing cognitive distortions in child sexual victimizers and the possibility of schema therapy as an alternative treatment.