INCEST IS THE RESULT OF STRUCTURAL STRESSES DUE TO CONFLICT AND CONFUSION IN THE ROLES ASSUMED BY AT LEAST THREE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY: THE FATHER, THE MOTHER, AND THE DAUGHTER. IT CAN BE SUPPORTED BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, BY DENIAL OF THE RELATIONSHIP, AND BY FAMILY ISOLATION. MOST INCESTUOUS FATHERS TEND TO BE SELF-CENTERED, TIMID, PASSIVE INDIVIDUALS, ALTHOUGH SOME MANIFEST INCESTUOUS BEHAVIOR AS A SYMPTON OF PSYCHOSIS, PSYCHONEUROSIS, MENTAL RETARDATION, OR DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE. THE MOTHER HAS A POOR SELF-IMAGE WHICH IS REINFORCED THROUGH HER MARITAL EXPERIENCES. THIS IS USUALLY COMBINED WITH JEALOUSY REGARDING POSSIBLE EXTRAMARITAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUAL FRIGIDITY. THE DAUGHTER'S PATHOLOGY VARIES. NEGATIVE FEELINGS TOWARDS THE FATHER ARE PRESENT AT THE BEGINNING AND PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLEASURE BOND AS WELL AS AT THE TIME WHEN SHE BECOMES AWARE THAT HER PEERS ARE NOT SEXUALLY INVOLVED WITH THEIR FATHERS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS SHE EITHER REPORTS THE RELATIONSHIP DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY OR ENGAGES IN ACTING-OUT BEHAVIOR TO SIGNAL THAT SOMETHING IS AMISS. TREATMENT WILL PROBABLY LAST 2 TO 3 YEARS. ITS GOALS ARE TO BOTH REHABILITATE THE FAMILY AND PREVENT FURTHER VICTIMIZATION OF THE CHILD. INVOLVING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ONLY INTENSIFIES THE CHILD PROBLEMS AND DOES NOT REHABILITATE THE FATHER. SEVERAL TREATMENT GOALS ARE SUGGESTED, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)