title: The Severe Sexual Sadism Scale: cross-validation and scale properties.
abstract: The Severe Sexual Sadism Scale (SSSS) is a screening device for the file-based assessment of forensically relevant sexual sadism. The SSSS consists of 11 dichotomous (yes/no) items that code behavioral indicators of severe sexual sadism within sexual offenses. Based on an Austrian sample of 105 sexual offenders, the present study replicated the 1-dimensional scale structure of the SSSS, as evidenced by confirmatory factor analysis. More specifically, the scale was commensurate with the 1-parameter logistic test model (Rasch model). Reliability was estimated to be good. Criterion validity for the clinical diagnosis of sexual sadism was good. With a cutoff value of 7 points, sensitivity and specificity were estimated at 56% and 90%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Center for Forensic Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. andreas.mokros@puk.zh.ch
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mokros
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eher
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nitschke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012448:Sadism / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult