First Advisor

Keith Kaufman

Date of Publication

Fall 11-14-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Language

English

Subjects

Criminal methods -- Research, Child sexual abuse, Factor analysis

DOI

10.15760/etd.5957

Physical Description

1 online resource (vii, 118 pages)

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is a pervasive crime that has numerous negative short and long-term impacts on its victims, as well as negative impacts for society. Modus Operandi (MO) is defined as a pattern of perpetration utilized by those who commit CSA to successfully abuse a child without detection. Understanding how CSA is perpetrated through MO is essential, as this construct influences both prevention of CSA, and treatment for victims and perpetrators. The Modus Operandi Questionnaire (Kaufman, 1991; MOQ) is the first and most comprehensive measurement tool for CSA MO, and is utilized by both researchers and clinicians. This study provides an up-to-date factor analysis of the MOQ, breaking the measure into five stage-based scales (i.e.; Accessing the victim, Gaining the victim's trust, Gaining the victim's cooperation, Sexual Abuse, and Silencing after the abuse). Each stage-based scale was analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis to determine structure followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis to examine model fit, as well as loadings of first-order factors onto their respective stage-based second order factors. Although model fit for all five scales can be improved, the results of this study determined reliable factors within all five scales, and show a structure that can be utilized to further inform research, treatment, and prevention of CSA.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/23425

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