Incarcerated Dutch juvenile sex offenders compared with non-sex offenders.
There is some debate about whether or not sex offenders are similar to non-sex offenders with regard to family background (parental characteristics), personality, and psychopathology. The central aim of this study focused on the comparison of juvenile sex offenders and non-sex offenders. The sample consisted of incarcerated juvenile male sex (n = 30) and non-sex (n = 368) offenders. It appeared that sex offenders resembled non-sex offenders with respect to most of the offender and parental characteristics. Results demonstrated some differences between both groups, while the majority of characteristics were similar. Limitations of the study are discussed, especially the low number of sex offenders, followed by suggestions for further research.
Ph van Wijk
Anton
A
Police Academy of the Netherlands, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. aphvanwijk@chello.nl
Vreugdenhil
Coby
C
van Horn
Joan
J
Vermeiren
Robert
R
Doreleijers
Theo A H
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors