Introduction

Numerous studies have documented the correlation between various forms of child physical abuse and/or neglect, sexual abuse, other sex offending behavior and chemical abuse and/or dependency. In treating any of these disorders, professionals should be aware of the high risk of interrelatedness of these factors and that in addition to addressing relevant factors, the underlying dynamics of intimacy dysfunction, shame, and boundary inadequacy need to be treated. Intimacy dysfunction is a developmental or pathological barrier to engaging in intimate behaviors or relationships. One of the other inevitable consequences of family intimacy dysfunction is boundary inadequacy. Boundary inadequacy has been defined as a pattern of ambiguous, overly rigid, or invasive boundaries that are related to physical or psychological space. Perpetrators of incest are a good example of individuals who have problems dealing with intimacy dysfunction and boundary inadequacy, in particular lacking the skills at boundary setting and respecting another’s personal boundaries.