Date of Award

7-1987

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology

Abstract

The study measured the effect of religious orientation, typology, and history of sexual trauma on assertiveness, aggressiveness, and spiritual well being for child molesters. The sample consisted of SS child molesters from outpatient and inpatient programs in Oregon. The subjects ranged in age from 19 to 72. The subjects completed the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Interpersonal Behavior survey, and an Information survey. The scores on the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the General Aggressiveness Rational scale and General Assertiveness Rational scale of the Interpersonal Behavior survey were the dependent variables. A 3-Way ANOVA via regression approach with a 2x2x2 design was conducted for each of the three dependent variables. A 3-Way ANOVA via regression approach was conducted for each of the subscales of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Religious Well-Being and Existential Well-Being. Main effects were found on Spiritual Well-Being for religious orientation, typology, and history of sexual trauma. A main effect was detected on Religious Well-Being for religious orientation and an interaction effect for religious orientation and history of sexual trauma. A main effect on Existential Well-Being for typology and history of sexual trauma was found. There was an interaction effect for typology, history of sexual trauma, and religious orientation on Existential Well-Being. There were no main or interaction effects found for aggressiveness or assertiveness. Christian, regressed molesters without a history of sexual trauma scored significantly higher on spiritual well-being than other molesters. Christian molesters had significantly higher religious wellbeing than non-Christian molesters. Sexual trauma history lowered religious well-being for non-Christians. Regressed offenders scored higher on existential well-being than the fixated offenders. Christian, regressed offenders without sexual trauma history scored the highest on existential well-being. Christian, fixated offenders without sexual trauma history scored higher on existential well-being than the other fixated groups. The groups which scored high on existential well-being are considered to have a higher perceived sense of satisfaction and purpose in life.

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