Discriminant analysis of a sexual-functioning inventory with intrafamilial and extrafamilial child molesters

Abstract

Several suggestions have been offered by clinicians who work with sex offenders concerning etiological distinctions between incest offenders and extrafamilial child molesters. In this study we hypothesized that nonincestuous child molesters would have more sexual problems in general than would incestuous offenders. Ninety-five incest offenders and 127 nonincestuous child molesters were administered the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI), a self-report instrument. On the global Sexual Functioning Index the total sample of child molesters scored below the first percentile compared to the normative sample. In a direct discriminant analysis of the 10 subscales, satisfaction, fantasy, and experience were the principle variables discriminating between incestuous and nonincestuous offenders. Incest offenders were higher on experience and satisfaction and lower on fantasy. However, the discriminant analysis failed to yield clinically relevant distinctions between the sexual problems of extrafamilial and intrafamilial child molesters. DSFI scores for both groups indicated that their overall level of sexual functioning is poor relative to the general population.