NCJ Number
143080
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Using a simple group design with a treatment group and waiting list comparison group, changes in levels of cognitive distortions and self-esteem were examined with known adult male sex offenders at Her Majesty's Prison Garth in England.
Abstract
The hypothesis tested was that the self-esteem of child sex offenders decreases as the number of cognitive distortions they hold is reduced by a brief treatment group. Questionnaires were administered to 14 adult male inmates who were serving custodial sentences for sexual offenses against children. Seven subjects completed a 3-day course that examined their offending and attempted to get them to accept responsibility for their offending. A comparison group of seven subjects was created by selecting names at random from the main waiting list. Subjects were all seen on three occasions: 1 week before the program, 2 weeks after completion of the program, and 8 weeks after the initial measures. Self-esteem and attitudes toward offending were measured with the following instruments: Adjective Checklist, Short Self-Esteem Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale, Children and Sex Questionnaire, Cognition Scale, and a semistructured interview. Contrary to the expected decrease in self-esteem as cognitive distortions were challenged in group work, self-esteem increased in the treatment group up to the follow-up data collection. This increase in self-esteem was independent of any changes in cognitive distortions, which were unstable anyway. Apparently, the treatment group made its members feel they had made a positive move by beginning to address their offending behavior, even if it was unable to effect any stable changes in their attitudes toward children and sex. 3 tables and 35 references