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Dissertation
The relationship among attributional bias, distress, and decision-making in sexually aggressive men with intellectual disabilities
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
May 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00003988
Abstract
Social incompetence is hypothesized to be a common denominator in sexual aggression and non-sexual aggression, and evidence has accumulated regarding the tendency of aggressive children to exhibit social information-processing deficits as well as the propensity for sex offenders to be deficient in social problem-solving skills. Given the developmental delays and cognitive limitations of intellectually disabled individuals, sexually aggressive men with intellectual disabilities were hypothesized to exhibit a pattern of social-cognitive deficits similar to aggressive children. Using a contrived provocation scenario involving ambiguous intent and a negative outcome, adapted from a study by Dodge (1980), this study examined differences in several social information processing variables between two groups of men with IQs in the 60 to 75 range: 27 men with a history of sexual aggression and 10 men without a history of sexual aggression. Group differences in social problem-solving skills were also examined using an adapted version of the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R; D'Zurilla, Nezu, & Maydeu-Olivares, 1996). Some of the hypotheses received support: The sexually aggressive group was significantly more likely to be impulsive in making an attributional decision and than was the non-sexually aggressive group (p = .029), and group differences in attributions of intent approached significance in the predicted direction (p = .072). However, the sexually aggressive group was significantly more likely to describe the scenario as involving a purposeful act than was the non-sexually aggressive group ( p = .03) when the question was asked in an open-ended, rather than in a forced-choice manner. No group differences were found in the Impulsivity/Carelessness Style scale, the Avoidance Style scale, or the Negative Problem Orientation scale of the SPSI-R (adapted version), although the sexually aggressive group scored significantly lower than did the non-sexually aggressive group in the Decision Making subscale (p = .003). In addition, no group differences were found in levels of distress, behavioral responses, or cue utilization. One implication of this study is to develop a treatment program based on results of an individualized functional assessment that involves interpretation of social cues, affective regulation, and interpersonal problem-solving skills, including improving impulse control in decision-making.
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Details
- Title
- The relationship among attributional bias, distress, and decision-making in sexually aggressive men with intellectual disabilities
- Creators
- Susie Chung
- Contributors
- Christine M. Nezu (Advisor) - Drexel University, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002)
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 115 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); College of Nursing and Health Professions (2000-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888800804721