Childhood Reflections of Adult Male Incarcerated Child Sexual Abusers.

204 Pages·2015·1.35 MB·English

by  Linda H. Garrett

East Tennessee State University
Digital Commons @ East
Tennessee State University
Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works
5-2006
Childhood Reflections of Adult Male Incarcerated
Child Sexual Abusers.
Linda H. Garrett
East Tennessee State University
Follow this and additional works at:https://dc.etsu.edu/etd
Part of theSocial Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons
Recommended Citation
Garrett, Linda H., "Childhood Reflections of Adult Male Incarcerated Child Sexual Abusers." (2006).Electronic Theses and
Dissertations.Paper 2244. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2244
This Dissertation - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State
University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East
Tennessee State University. For more information, please [email protected].
Childhood Reflections of Adult Male Incarcerated Child Sexual Abusers
__________________
A dissertation
presented to
the faculty of the Department of College of Nursing
East Tennessee State University
In partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Science in Nursing
___________________
by
Linda H. Garrett
May 2006
___________________
Joy Wachs, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAOHN, Chair
Gail Gerding, PhD, RN
Susan Grover, PhD, RN
Sadie Hutson, PhD, WHNP
Larry Miller, PhD
Keywords: child sexual abuse, perpetrator, phenomenology, nursing, primary care
ABSTRACT
Childhood Reflections of Adult Male Incarcerated Child Sexual Abusers
by
Linda H. Garrett
Child sexual abuse has existed since earliest recorded history. It is believed that one in three
females and one in five males are sexually abused before their 18th birthday, and many
researchers believe this is a gross underestimation of the problem. Child sexual abuse has been
studied extensively from the perspective of the victim. Child sexual abusers have been studied
over the last few decades but with inconsistent definitions and methods applied among studies.
This qualitative study explored the childhood reflections of 8 incarcerated child sexual abusers in
a southern Appalachian prison. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted at the prison
with the 8 male participants. After multiple readings of the transcripts, analysis was completed
and the stories emerged. The investigator used van Manen’s descriptive-interpretive process.
This process involved guided existential reflections based on spatiality, corporeality, temporality,
and relationality. The existentials were used as an aid to understand how incarcerated adult male
child sexual abusers experienced childhood. Questions were asked using the existentials in order
to better understand childhood experiences in this underserved and often forgotten population.
Data were managed using NVivo qualitative data analysis software. Textural themes were
organized into essential structural themes which were abstracted into the essential categorical
themes of failure to root, what you see is what you learn, these are the moments of your life, and
stupid is as stupid does. All participants demonstrated failure to root as evidenced by their
inability to recall their childhood homes or their play life during childhood. Results indicated that
participants developed a sense of self resulting from external perceptions which left them with a
disembodied concept of self. A disembodied concept of self was demonstrated throughthe
experiences of both failure to root andwhat you see is what you learn.These are the moments of
2
your life is the abstraction of the participants’ method of coping with the abuses they suffered
from different family members. The resulting personal view of lived body is represented by the
abstraction of stupid is as stupid does. Results are discussed and related to nursing practice,
education, and research.
3
Copyright 2006 by Linda H. Garrett
All Rights Reserved
4
DEDICATION
This dissertation is dedicated to children who have survived the hurt of abusive home
environments. It is especially dedicated to the eight brave men who have faced hurtful
childhoods and reflected on those experiences for the purpose of this dissertation and for those
who may benefit from reading their stories.
5
ACKNOWDEDGEMENTS
As I complete this phase of my journey of learning and discovery, I realize that I am
indebted to many people. First, I want to thank my eight participants. The courage and honesty
you displayed concerning your childhood experiences brought insight to and understanding of
the importance of childhood experiences to the life of the adult male child sexual abuser. Thank
You.
I would like to thank the Warden and the psychological examiner for their guidance and
time. Warden, thank you for assisting me as I learned to navigate the prison and for causing
disturbances in routine, such as the day I took a picture of the front of the prison, not knowing it
was forbidden. Without your willingness to assist me, this project would not have been possible.
I want to thank the psychological examiner for the long discussions and assistance with my
interviewing skills. You were an invaluable asset to this project.
When I began this journey I heard many stories about dissertation committees and their
woes. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a group of professors with the utmost integrity
and desire to see me succeed in my endeavors while working with child sexual abusers. First, I
would like to thank my chair, Dr. Joy Wachs for her never faltering support, encouragement, and
guidance during some trying times along this path. Thank you for your careful editing of my
chapters. The success of this dissertation is because of the guided collaborative approach and the
personal consideration shown to me during the process. Saying thank you does not reflect the
deep admiration, gratitude, and respect I have for you. I would like to thank Dr. Gail Gerding for
her support, availability, and assistance in brainstorming and thought exploration which resulted
in some of the best metaphors and abstractions of my dissertation results. Your integrity and
down-to-earth honesty were greatly appreciated. I would like to thank Dr. Susan Grover. Your
support and encouragement over the years and your contribution to this dissertation are greatly
appreciated. I want to thank Dr. Sadie Hutson for her willingness to assist with the committee. I
cannot express my gratitude to you for your assistance with NVivo and for the numerous times
you came when called to give assistance. You were a valuable asset to this dissertation. Thank
6
you to Dr. Larry Miller for your support and encouragement in this endeavor and introduction to
the criminal justice community. The non-committee member I would like to thank is Dr. Patricia
Munhall. You contributed significantly to my understanding of phenomenology and the van
Manen method of data collection and analysis. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Betty McCord for
her contribution of failure to root.
Thank you to my husband, Allan, who always supported me and kept the light on.
Without your listening ear and thoughtful advice I would not have made it though many crises.
Thank you to my other family members: Dustin and his family, especially Jamie, Ben, April, and
Jacey, for tolerating all the absences, missed birthdays, and lost time. To my sister, Shelby, for
shouldering family burdens, listening to my concerns and the many prayers, thank you. And for
my brother, Ronnie, thank you for not turning away.
Joan, you have always been there for me with supportive and endearing friendship and
encouragement despite my many setbacks along the way. Thank You.
Audry, I would like to thank you for your support and your willingness to listen. I have
shared intimate details of my life with you. Those moments were an important part of my
learning and healing.
Lastly, I would like to thank my God for guiding me on a path of healing, learning, and
wonder. Without His guided life experiences, I would not be who I am nor would I have had the
interest and passion to complete this dissertation.
7
CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………. 2
COPYRIGHT……………………………………………………………………….. 4
DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………… 5
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS………………………………………………………….. 6
Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………… ……… 13
Background……………………………………………………………........ 13
Historical Perspectives and Resulting Minimization………………………. 14
Definitions and Discrepancies……………………………………………… 18
Participants…………………………………………………………. 19
Child Sexual Abusers and Pedophiles……………………………… 19
Child Sexual Abuse………………………………………………… 21
Child………………………………………………………………… 21
Impact of Child Sexual Abuse……………………………………………… 22
Child Sexual Abusers, Victims, and Families………………………. 22
Theoretical Perspectives……………………………………………………. 24
Biological Theory…………………………………………………… 25
Behavioral Theory……………………………………………........... 25
Attachment Theory………………………………………………….. 25
Psychodynamic Theory……………………………………………… 26
Cognitive-Behavioral Theory……………………………………….. 27
Fragmentation Theory………………………………………………. 27
Four Factor Theory…………………………………………………. 28
8
Chapter Page
Prevalence and Incidence……………………………………………………. 32
Age of Consent/Prohibition………………………………………………….. 34
Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………. 35
Purpose of the Study………………………………………………………… 36
Research Question…………………………………………………………… 37
Relevance for Nursing………………………………………………………. 37
Summary……………………………………………………………………. 37
Outline of Chapters…………………………………………………………. 38
2. LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………… 40
Introduction…………………………………………………………………. 40
Childhood Experiences and Risk Factors…………………………………… 41
Family of Origin Characteristics……………………………………………. 46
Psychological and Personalogical Aspects of Abusers……………………… 49
Motives, Modus Operandi, and Patterns of Abuse…………………………… 56
Abuser Defenses……………………………………………………………... 62
Treatment…………………………………………………………………...... 64
Medical Paradigm……………………………………………………. 66
Psychological Paradigm……………………………………………… 68
Biopsychosocial Paradigm…………………………………………… 69
Risk Assessments…………………………………………………………….. 70
Recidivism…………………………………………………………………… 73
Sexual Predator Laws………………………………………………………… 78
Civil Commitment……………………………………………………. 82
Summary……………………………………………………………………… 83
3. METHODOLOGY………………………………………………………………… 84
Introduction…………………………………………………………………… 84
Qualitative Inquiry……………………………………………………………. 84
9