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Perceptions of Sex Offenders’ Partners: Associated with Perceptions of Offenders and Influenced by Attachment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 December 2020

Jason P. Martens Open the ORCID record for Jason P. Martens [Opens in a new window]  and
Jessica L. Stewart
Jason P. Martens*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Business, Law & Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
Jessica L. Stewart
Affiliation:
Faculty of Business, Law & Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Jason P. Martens, Department of Psychology, Capilano University, North Vancouver, Canada, V7J 3H5. Email: jasonmartens@capilanou.ca
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Abstract

Little research exists on how partners of sex offenders are perceived. Using attachment theory, we hypothesised that one's attachment would generalise to perceptions of sexual offenders and their partners. One hundred and six British adults’ attachment styles were assessed, as well as perceptions of sex offenders and their partners. Generally, perceivers’ attachment avoidance was associated with positive perceptions of both partners and offenders, while attachment anxiety was associated with negative perceptions of partners but positive perceptions of sex offenders. Perceptions of sex offenders and their partners were highly correlated and negative in nature, and sex offenders were more negatively perceived.

Keywords

attachmentinterpersonal perceptions
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 11 , 2020 , e19
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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