C hild zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Abuse & Neglect, Vol. IS, PP. 515-586, 1991 0145~2134/91 $3.00 + La Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Copyright 0 1991 Persamon Press pk zyxwvutsrqpo AN EXPLORATION OF FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL PROFILES FOLLOWING FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST MARK DADDS, MICHELLE SMITH, AND YVONNE WEBBER Department of Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia ANTHONY ROBINSON Department of Family Services, Queensland State Government Abstract-This paper presents the results of a range of psychometric assessments which attempted to identify family and individual variables associated with father-daughter incest. Psychometric self-report measures were used to examine differences between families in which incest had been confirmed and a matched comparison group. Signifi- cant differences between the members of the incest and the comparison groups included behavioral and self-esteem problems in the daughters and differences in the familial environments of the two groups. Daughters who had been sexually abused reported lower levels of self-esteem about their intellectual and school status. Mothers in the incest group reported that their daughters had more conduct problems than the comparison mothers. The incest families were generally reported to be higher in conflict and organization and lower in cohesion, expressiveness, and active recreation. No differences between groups were found for levels of marital adjustment, self-esteem in mothers, or overall level of psychopathology in the perpetrators. Key Words-Father-daughter incest, Incest families, Family systems, Sexual abuse, Psychopathology. INTRODUCTION RECENT ATTEMPTS to understand the nature and causes of intrafamilial sexual abuse of children have focused on characteristics of individual family members, the family system and its relationship with the community. Early case reports and studies of incarcerated offenders found psychopathological traits in father offenders (Kirkland & Bauer, 1982; Langevin, Pai- tich, Freeman, Mann, & Handy, 1978; Panton, 1979). However, a recent study of non-incar- cerated offenders found MMPI profiles within the normal range (Scott & Stone, 1986), consis- tent with the position of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse (1978) that frank psychopathology is not common in incestuous fathers. It is still possible, however, that there may be common personality profiles in father offenders, rather than psychopathol- ogy. Many of the personality studies have suggested that the offenders may be lacking in social skills, are introverted, and experience feelings of inadequacy in interpersonal relationships (Kirkland & Bauer; 1982, Langevin et al., 1978; Scott & Stone, 1986). There is also no evidence to suggest that mothers in incestuous families may have psycho- pathological profiles. While a wealth of clinical literature has indicated that incest family mothers are often absent from the home, have alcohol, sexual, health and other problems, the Received for publication July 8, 1988; final revision received July 30, 1990; accepted July 30, 1990. Requests for reprints should be sent to Mark R. Dadds, Department of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia 4072 575