title: The Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests: Predictive and Concurrent Validity.
abstract: This study examined the predictive and concurrent validity of the Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI) and its recent revision (SSPI-2), using a large sample of 2,416 sex offenders deemed not to be in need of civil management in New York State. Both SSPI and SSPI-2 scores were significantly and positively related to sexual rearrest, but the SSPI-2 provided greater discrimination in rearrest within 5 years across possible scores. Neither measure significantly added to the prediction of sexual rearrest provided by the Static-99R. We also found evidence of concurrent validity, as both measures were positively and significantly correlated with clinician ratings of sexual preoccupation, emotional identification with children, and sexual offense-related cognitions (convergent validity), but were not significantly related to clinician ratings of self-regulation problems, noncompliance with supervision, or antisocial personality (divergent validity). Overall, the results suggest that the SSPI-2 is a specific and useful screening measure of pedophilic sexual interests among sex offenders with child victims.
authors.affiliation: 1 Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Brockville, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Seto
authors.affiliation: 2 New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sandler
authors.affiliation: 2 New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, USA.
authors.forename: Naomi J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D004882:Erotica; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010378:Pedophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: child molestation; criminal recidivism; pedophilia; sexual interests; sexual offender