Self-esteem and its relationship to sexual offending

Abstract

The concept of self-esteem and its measurement, and its relationship to self-efficacy, is examined. From this survey of the research, and from what is known about sexual offenders, it is proposed that self-esteem plays a role in the etiology and maintenance of sexual offending. Inferences are then made concerning the need to enhance the self-esteem of sexual offenders and procedures for doing this are outlined. Finally, the need for more extensive research of the self-esteem of sexual offenders is made clear.