title: Does Change on the MOLEST and RAPE Scales Predict Sexual Recidivism?
abstract: The purpose of the current study was to examine whether the MOLEST and RAPE scales and change on these measures predicted sexual recidivism in a sample of 146 adult male sexual offenders who participated in a high-intensity treatment program while incarcerated. The majority of subjects had functional scores on the MOLEST and RAPE scales prior to treatment. Of those who had dysfunctional pre-treatment scores, the majority made significant gains. However, the MOLEST and RAPE scales did not significantly predict sexual recidivism. This was the case for pre-treatment scores, post-treatment scores, and change scores. Our findings are generally not consistent with the view that these measures assess dynamic risk factors for sexual recidivism. However, this is the first published study to examine the predictive validity of these scales and more rigorous research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada kevin.nunes@carleton.ca.
authors.forename: Kevin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pettersen
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Chantal A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.affiliation: Correctional Service of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Looman
authors.affiliation: Correctional Service of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spape
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003417:Criminal Psychology / Q000379:methods; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011902:Rape / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: change; clinical significance; cognitive distortions; recidivism; sexual offenders