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Risk Factors for Adolescent Sex Offender Recidivism: Evaluation of Predictive Factors and Comparison of Three Groups Based Upon Victim Type

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Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment

Abstract

This study investigated differences in recidivism risk factors and traits associated with psychopathy among 3 groups of male adolescent sexual offenders (N=156): offenders against children, offenders against peers or adults, and mixed type offenders. Furthermore, those same variables were examined for their association with sexual and nonsexual recidivism and the 3 groups were compared for differences in rates of recidivism. Based upon both juvenile and adult recidivism data, 6.4% of the sample reoffended sexually and 30.1% reoffended nonsexually. Retrospective risk assessments were completed using the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (JSOAP-II) and the Psychopathy Checklist:Youth Version (PCL:YV). Comparisons of the 3 preexisting groups for differences on scale and factor scores were conducted using analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Differences among groups for recidivism were measured using survival curve analysis. Associations between risk scales and recidivism were measured using Cox regression analyses. Results suggest significant differences among the 3 offender groups on multiple scales of the JSOAP-II and PCL:YV, with mixed type offenders consistently producing higher risk scores as compared to those who exclusively offend against children or peers/adults. The Impulsive/Antisocial Behavior scale of the JSOAP-II and the Interpersonal and Antisocial factors of the PCL:YV were significant predictors of sexual recidivism. The Behavioral and Antisocial factors of the PCL:YV were significant predictors of nonsexual recidivism. Results supported previous research indicating that most adolescents who sexually offend do not continue offending into adulthood. Such results can lead to improved treatment by targeting specific risk factors for intervention and better use of risk management resources in the community, while preserving the most restrictive treatment options for the highest risk offenders.

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Notes

  1. Observations censored before the 1st failure time are excluded from SPSS Cox regressions.

  2. Note, as opposed to the dichotomous child offender indicator, the quantitative nature of Factor 3 (Factor 3 scores range from 0 to 10) aids power to detect proportional change. This explains why the reported effect size for a one standard deviation change in Factor 3 is actually smaller than the effect size reported for the child offender covariate. The Factor 3 example is presented only as an indication of the power capability of the nonsexual recidivism Cox regression model.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded, in part, by a Research Grant from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA). While this project could not have been completed without the support and assistance of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA), the opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of OJA. We are especially grateful to Steve Grissom, Chief Psychologist at OJA, and the staff of the L.E. Rader Treatment Center. We acknowledge the invaluable support and assistance of Greg Parks' dissertation committee at Walden University, Gus Baron, Gary Burkholder, Hilda Glazer, and Brent Maguire. We also express our gratitude for the assistance of Mark Chaffin at the University of Oklahoma and Betsy Pearman at the University of Northern Colorado.

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  1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

    Gregory A. Parks & David E. Bard

  2. 5030 N. May Ave., Ste. 209, Oklahoma City, 73112, Oklahoma, USA

    Gregory A. Parks

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Parks, G.A., Bard, D.E. Risk Factors for Adolescent Sex Offender Recidivism: Evaluation of Predictive Factors and Comparison of Three Groups Based Upon Victim Type. Sex Abuse 18, 319–342 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11194-006-9028-x

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