Cognitive Distortions of Religious Professionals Who Sexually Abuse Children

Abstract

This study uses grounded theory to investigate the cognitive distortions in the self-report statements of 14 clergymen who had sexually abused children. These clergy were residents at an assessment and treatment center for child molesters. The content of the offenders' cognitive distortions was identified and categorized into thematic groups. These categories were found to relate to the various stages of the offending cycle. A tentative model was generated that illustrates the relationship between the categories and the hypothesized sequence of thought facilitating the initiation and maintenance of sexually abusive behavior. In addition, a number of cognitive processes were identified as contributing to offenders' beliefs. The study also reveals that the clergymen used their religious role and relationship with God within their distorted beliefs. These beliefs were predominantly concentrated in the areas of giving themselves permission to offend, denial of likelihood of getting caught, reduction of guilt after offending, and maintaining a positive sense of self.