Psychopathy, sexual deviance, and recidivism among sex offenders.
The relationships between psychopathy, sex offender type, sexual deviance, and recidivism were examined in 156 federally incarcerated sex offenders in a 10-year follow-up study. The rapists and mixed offenders demonstrated higher psychopathy scores than did the child molesters and incest offenders (total scores and Factor 2 scores on the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised [PCL-R]; R. D. Hare, 2003). Factor 1 scores were approximately the same in all groups. The PCL-R was a weak predictor of sexual recidivism but consistently predicted nonsexual violent recidivism and general recidivism (mainly via Factor 2). Sexual deviance measured by a structured rating scheme predicted sexual recidivism. Sexual deviance, so rated, was a stronger predictor of sexual recidivism than psychopathy but the two interacted significantly suggesting that psychopathy could potentiate sexual recidivism. Although psychopathy was a strong positive predictor of general nonsexual recidivism, sexual deviance was inversely related, and no interaction was observed between psychopathy, sexual deviance, and nonsexual recidivism.
Olver
Mark E
ME
Mental Health and Addiction Services, Young Offender Team, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. mark.olver@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
Wong
Stephen C P
SC
D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors