Comparing indicators of sexual sadism as predictors of recidivism among adult male sexual offenders.
OBJECTIVE
In this longitudinal study, the predictive validity of a psychiatric diagnosis of sexual sadism was compared with three behavioral indicators of sadism: index sexual offense violence, sexual intrusiveness, and phallometrically assessed sexual arousal to depictions of sexual or nonsexual violence.


METHODS
Five hundred and eighty six adult male sexual offenders were assessed between 1982 and 1992, and these offenders were followed for up to 20-years postrelease via official criminal records. Assessment information included the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis, offense characteristics, phallometric assessment results, and an actuarial risk measure (the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide).


RESULTS
Predictive validity was demonstrated in univariate analyses for the behavioral indicators of sexual sadism (area under the curve [AUCs] from .58 to .62) but not psychiatric diagnosis (AUC = .54). Cox regression analyses revealed that phallometrically assessed sexual arousal to violence was still significantly associated with violent (including sexual) recidivism after actuarially estimated risk to reoffend was controlled. A psychiatric diagnosis of sexual sadism, in contrast, was unrelated to recidivism.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the use of more behaviorally operationalized indicators of sexual sadism, especially phallometric assessment of sexual arousal, and suggest the DSM criteria for sexual sadism require further work.
Kingston
Drew A
DA
Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, and Integrated Forensic Program, Brockville Mental Health Centre, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, 1804 Highway 2, Brookville, Ontario, Canada. drew.kingston@rohcg.on.ca
Seto
Michael C
MC
Firestone
Philip
P
Bradford
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001143:Arousal; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010378:Pedophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012448:Sadism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult