NCJ Number
194927
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 23-49
Date Published
2001
Length
27 pages
Annotation
A group of juvenile male sexual offenders (n=100) completed the Quality of Motivation Questionnaire (QMQ) upon entry into a residential treatment facility; the concepts of Quality of Motivation (QM) Theory are presented to explain the QMQ scores.
Abstract
QM theory was developed in order to define ways in which people are motivated, ways in which motivation affects behaviors, and ways motivation can change a person's behavior. Although motivation may energize a person's behavior, it is the positive or negative consequences that play a major role in shaping the habits or skills acquired and the resultant self-esteem. The practical theme of the QM Theory is that it is difficult to change a person's behavior unless the nature of a person's motivation is also addressed. If a person has more positive sources of motivation than negative sources, then a person is in a position to gain more power and control of emotional stimuli and his/her life. The primary instrument for the measurement of the concepts is the Quality of Motivation Questionnaire (QMQ). The QMQ scores include Disclosure Level, Sources of Motivation, Skills, Life Style Characteristics, and Power. The administration of the QMQ to 100 juvenile male sexual offenders yielded abnormal motivation scores in the areas of Disclosure Resistance, Depression, Primary and Learned Sources of Motivation, and all of the Maladaptive Skills Scores. Recommendations for treatment are prioritized according to QM Theory and are presented in a treatment plan called the Personal Development Plan. Generally, the results indicate the need for multiple areas of intervention to enhance the juvenile's motivation scores at the onset of treatment. Implications for further research with the QMQ include outcome measurement of changes and comparison with non-offender groups. 3 tables, 17 references, and appended QMQ