title: Does change in hostility predict sexual recidivism?
abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine whether scores on a widely used measure of hostility--the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI)--and change on this measure predicted sexual recidivism in a sample of 120 adult male incarcerated sexual offenders. Pre- and posttreatment scores, simple difference scores, and clinically significant change were examined. The majority of participants had functional scores on the BDHI prior to treatment. Of those who had dysfunctional pretreatment scores, the majority remained unchanged. Higher posttreatment scores on the Assault and Verbal Hostility subscales significantly predicted sexual recidivism. The remaining pre- and posttreatment scores as well as change scores and classifications did not significantly predict sexual recidivism. Our findings suggest that the Assault and Verbal Hostility subscales may be useful for predicting sexual recidivism but were not clearly consistent with the notion that the BDHI assesses a dynamic risk factor(s) for sexual recidivism. Due to a number of limitations of the current study, however, more rigorous research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada cathrinepettersen@cmail.carleton.ca.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pettersen
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kevin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mandie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maimone
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: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: clinical significance; hostility; recidivism; sexual offenders; treatment change