NCJ Number
202264
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 339-345
Date Published
October 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article compares sex offenders with intellectual disability with a control group for anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Sex offenders and control participants were compared on adapted versions of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The study included 32 participants, 16 in each condition. The 16 sex offenders had a range of offenses as follows: 7 nonpenetrative offenses against children; 8 sexual assaults or attempted rapes; and 1 indecent exposure. IQs ranged from 59 to 75. The control group consisted of 16 individuals referred to a day placement for a variety of reasons related to challenging behavior such as anger and aggression. There was no significant difference between the groups on IQ or age. The full 21-item versions of the BAI and BDI were used and modified with minor changes to some of the wording. The measures were administered to all 32 participants on 2 occasions 1 week apart. Both the BAI and the BDI, with minor revisions and simplifications in the presentation and response formats, were able to be used reliably by individuals with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intelligence. These findings may have additional implications for clinical practice. The measures can be used to monitor mood and anxiety by regular reassessment and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or the outcome of treatments. The item responses can also be used to open discussions of feelings and thoughts of particular use with clients with intellectual disability. The group of sex offenders reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than the control group. This study presents more questions and hypotheses than it answers. It is only with an increasing number of control comparisons that the picture of emotional responses in people with intellectual disabilities and specific subgroups will become clear. 21 references