NCJ Number
185219
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2000 Pages: 275-287
Date Published
October 2000
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study reviews meta-analysis of predictors of sexual recidivism.
Abstract
This study reviews seven studies selected for meta-analysis of the denial variable in a large-scale meta-analysis of predictors of sexual recidivism and identifies methodologic issues that relate to interpretation of the failure of meta-analysis to find an effect for the denial variable. These include variability in definition of the denial variable, variation in treatment access and exclusion for deniers, low base rates of recidivism, small sample sizes, low power and high probability of type II error across individual studies. Meta-analysis did not clarify the role and relevance of denial as a predictor of sexual recidivism. The article suggests the need for further work to clarify the role and relevance of denial in treatment success, risk assessment and risk prediction. Elucidation of the role and relevance of denial in treatment outcome and risk prediction should be more effectively accomplished by attempting to use the traditional definition of denial as denying guilt for an offense and making comparisons with groups of individuals who admit guilt for an offense. Table, references