Incest Perpetrator MMPI Profiles and the Variable of Offense Admission Status

Abstract

The hypothesis that male incest perpetrators represent a heterogeneous population characterized by subtypes was investigated. Specifically, the variable of admission versus nonadmission to the incestuous offense was studied. The 13 MMPI clinical and validity scales and three derived MMPI defensiveness indices were used as predictors of perpetrator admission status. A Multivariate Discriminant Function analysis was performed, which was successful in separating 20 admitting from 20 nonadmitting Ss. Both perpetrating groups were also successfully separated from 20 mental health outpatients who comprised a comparison group. The overall correct classification rate for the three groups was 75%. Psychometric and case history correlates for each perpetrator group were discussed in terms of their implications for treatment and for incestuous family system dynamics.

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