NCJ Number
169160
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 23 Issue: 3/4 Dated: special issue (1996) Pages: 143-155
Date Published
1996
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study compared 203 men accused of sexual offenses on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Halstead-Reitan Battery, school grade repeats, and therapy outcome measures that included desire for and attitude toward treatment.
Abstract
The sample included 75 intrafamilial and 54 extrafamilial child sexual abusers, 41 sexual aggressives, and 43 miscellaneous sex offenders. Results showed 52 percent were school dropouts and 53 percent had failed at least one grade in school. Although the group's intelligence was in the average range, 33 percent scored in the impaired range of the Halstead-Reitan Battery. Of therapy outcome measures, only attitude toward therapy was related to the Reitan Impairment Index, with more impaired individuals displaying negative attitudes toward therapy. Sex offenders with and without learning problems did not differ in their desire for treatment, but those with learning problems had better attendance. Approaches to improving therapy success with clients who have learning difficulties are discussed. 12 references, 3 tables, and 3 figures