Differences in self-report measures by adolescent sex offender risk group.
Differences in self-reports among three groups of juvenile sex offenders (N = 162) were examined. Risk was defined as the sum of the following static variables based on interviews with juveniles and others and from written records: type of offense (violent or predatory = 1, not = 0), prior sex offense (any = 1, none = 0), history of sexual abuse (self or family = 1, none = 0), history of substance abuse (self or family = 1, none = 0), history of behavior problems (yes = 1, no = 0), and unstable home life (yes = 1, stable = 0). Low-risk (0 to 2 risk factors), medium-risk (3 factors), and high-risk (4 to 6 factors) groups of offenders were formed. Univariate ANCOVAs indicated that the high-risk group reported less family cohesion, more aggression, lower self-esteem, more social discomfort, and more frequent and extreme sexual fantasies. The implications of these findings for differential identification of and interventions with adolescent sex offenders are discussed.
Smith
Susan
S
Glencairn Marriage and Family Therapy Center, 501 Darby Creek Road, Suite 67, Lexington, Kentucky 40509, USA.
Wampler
Richard
R
Jones
Janelle
J
Reifman
Alan
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012008:Recurrence; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012306:Risk; D012649:Self Concept; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012951:Socialization; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation