NCJ Number
214903
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 159-170
Date Published
May 2006
Length
12 pages
Annotation
In an attempt to identify personality characteristics that might be predictive for sexual offending but not for other types of juvenile violent offenses, this study compared adolescent and young adult sexual delinquents and violent juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Adolescent sexual offenders show significantly lower levels of anger cognition, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Those convicted of rape did not differ from those convicted of child abuse on any of the dependent measures used, but they tended to exhibit lower self-efficacy. The results demonstrate that juvenile sex offenders in prison, in comparison to sexual offenders in psychiatric care, are a special group showing a broader range of potential risk factors for antisocial behavior. Since incarcerated young sexual offenders show very similar behavioral problems and personal risk factors to violent offenders, treatment programs for sexual offenders should incorporate elements from anti-aggression training or self-assertiveness training. With data obtained within the Prison Service in a German youth prison, this study compared young adult sexual delinquents and violent offenders using relevant psychological variables. These variables were in the areas of antisocial personality factors and predisposing personality factors. The study sample consisted of 78 violent and 27 sexual offenders between the ages of 17 and 24. Tables, references