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JUVENILE SEX OFFENDERS.

Discusses psychopathology of adolescent male sex offenders. Increase of juvenile sexual aggression, abuse and assault. Characteristics of adolescent sex offenders. Use of psychotherapy to understand criminal behavior. Proposes a research study on the subject. Hypotheses. Research methodology. Research limitations.

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Research Proposal:
Psychopathology of Juvenile Male Sex Offenders
Review of Literature
There is evidence of a significant increase in the reports of juvenile sexual aggression and sexual abuse with sexual assault in general one of the fastest growing violent crimes in the United States (Practice parameters for…, 1999). Approximately 20 percent of all rapes and 30 to 50 percent of child molestations are carried out by people younger than 18 years of age. Studies of adolescent sex offenders have shown that the majority commit their first sexual offense before the age of 15 and not infrequently before the age of 12 (Practice parameters for…, 1999).
Sexual assaults committed by adolescents are a growing societal concern. Acco

Sexually abusive adolescent males, according to Ryan, et al (1996),are likely to be victims of sexual abuse (22 percent), victims of physicalabuse or neglect, and suffered the loss of a parental figure.Simultaneously, Ryan, et al (1996) stated that among the 1,6 young malesin grade 7 through 12 who were assessed in the study, 63 percent hadprevious nonsexual criminal offenses prior to an arrest for a sexualoffense, while 27.8 percent were known to have committed more than threenonsexual criminal offenses. Examination of personalityscores and criminal attitudes showed that the sex offenders were moresocially isolated, more assaultive, and more resentful than the generaloffenders. (199 ). The researchersconcluded that personality disorders and disturbances of mood and affectmay be commonplace among adolescent sex offenders. The further diagnosis of an additionalpersonality disorder as described above is expected to distinguish the sexoffenders from the no-sex offenders.Hypotheses The first research hypothesis is stated as:H1: Male juvenile sex offenders will be more likely to manifest one ormore personality disorders than male juvenile offenders who are not sexoffenders. Asingle administration of the MMPI-A will be undertaken to test the tworesearch hypotheses presented above.Limitations of the Research Several factors are potentially capable of limiting the results andapplicability of the proposed research. The data, which encompassedinformation on more than 1,6 juveniles referred to 9 service agencies in3 states for treatment following a sexual offense, revealed numerous socio-psychological factors as common among the population. A study by Losada-Paisey (1998) investigated the relationshipbetween offender type and personality in 21 juvenile males adjudicated forcrimes of a sexual nature and 3 juvenile males adjudicated for nonsexualoffenses. The names of juvenile sex offenders and non-sex offendersare not readily made available to the public because of legal concerns.This may not complicate gaining informed consent. Given that Butler and Seto (2 2) have suggested that manyjuveniles who enter the criminal justice system may have a history of bothsexual and nonsexual offenses, the study may be limited by the capacity ofthe researcher to identify an adequate population of juvenile offenderswith no sex offense history. The profile and treatment of male adolescent sex offenders. All youth considered for participationin the program will have been adjudicated and referred for counseling ortreatment after an arrest and conviction for a crime; one-half of thesample will be receiving treatment for sex offenses, while the balance ofthe sample will consist of non-sex-offending males. Results of the study indicated that theinstrument (known as the PCL: YV) was positively and significantly relatedto total, violent, and nonviolent reoffense rates. Administration of the MMPI-A will be conducted by the clinicianresponsible for treatment or counseling of the two groups of subjectsparticipating in the study. Sexoffenders and non-sex offenders who are adolescent and male are oftencomparable with respect to child conduct problems, current behavioraladjustment, and antisocial attitudes and beliefs. Gretton, McBride, Hare,O'Shaughnessy, and Kumka (2 1) used extensive file information to score ayouth version of this instrument for 22 adolescent males in an outpatientsex offender treatment program. The null hypothesis is:H2: Male juvenile sex offenders will not be more likely to manifest oneor more personality disorders than male juvenile offenders who are not sexoffenders.Research Methodology To test the foregoing research hypotheses, a non-experimentalresearch study will be undertaken. According to Butler and Seto (2 2), a large American surveyfound that approximately two percent of youths in a large national sampleadmitted engaging in behavior that would be considered rape or attemptedrape in most legal jurisdictions. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(1), 83-91.Caputo, A.A., Frick, P.J., & Brodsky, S.L. Clinical use of the MMPI-A, according to Losada-Paisey (1998), has demonstrated that the test has a high degree ofreliability and validity and is capable of differentiating between the sex-offending and non-sex-offending adolescent with respect to the present orabsence of specific personality disorder. Butler and Seto (2 2)suggested that juveniles with both sex and non-sex offenses are most likelyto exhibit severe psychopathology.Research Objectives and Variables The objectives of the proposed research are: 1) to examine thecritical psychopathological differences, if any, between male juvenile sexoffenders and male juvenile non-sex offenders; and 2) to determine whetheror not male juvenile sex offenders and more or less likely than malejuvenile non-sex offenders to have personality disorders. Distinguishing two types of adolescent sex offenders. The researcher thereforeconcluded that more serious forms of psychopathology may be exhibited bymale juvenile sex offenders than male juvenile non-sex offenders. Both groups of offenders exhibited higher levels of personalityand conduct disorders than non-offenders. (1997). Psychological Reports, 81(2), 483-49 . Between 1 and 15 percent of adolescentsex offenders continue to commit offenses into adulthood, whileapproximately one-half of adult sex offenders report that their firstsexual offense occurred during adolescence (butler & Seto, 2 2). Valliant and Bergeron (1997) contend that it is likely that there arefew significant differences in general intelligence among adolescent malesex offenders and adolescent general offenders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35(1), 17-26.Valliant, P.M., & Bergeron, T. Sex offending juveniles exhibited highscores on psychopathic deviant and schizophrenic scales of the MinnesotaMultiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A). A high score onthe instrument was also correlated with lowered empathy for victims andlimited remorse for the offense. Research into the psychopathology of adolescent male sex offendershas increased in response to concerns regarding the growing incidence ofadolescent sexual assault and rape. Family violence and juvenile sex offending: The potential mediating role of psychopathic traits and negative attitudes toward women. Data will be analyzed according to theprotocols of the MMPI-A. Trends in a national sample of sexually abusive youths. However, sexoffenders, unlike their juvenile peers whose delinquent behavior does notinclude sexual aggression, are more likely to have extremely poor impulsecontrol and anti-social behavior. However, sex offenders among juvenilesparticipating in the study were significantly more callous and lessemotional than their counterparts. Offenders with a PCL:YV score were at very high risk for general reoffending. Personalitydisorders, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), includeparanoia, schizoid, schizotypal, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial,borderline personality disorder, avoidant, dependent, compulsive, andpassive-aggressive. This view is rejected byGretton, et al (2 1), as well as Lakey (1994). (1999). Only basicdemographic information and criminal histories of the subjects will beincluded with MMPI-A results and no identification by name or other keycharacteristics of participants will be possible. A second potentially limiting factor focuses on ethicalconsiderations. A single discriminate functionattained statistical significance, correctly classifying 77 percent of thenon-sex offenders and 71 percent of the sex offenders. Scores on theHysteria and Psychasthenia subscales were exhibited at higher levels byindividuals classified as nonsexual offenders. It will, however, be necessary to selectnon-sex offenders who have no prior record of adjudication for a sexualoffense. The first potential limitation isaccess. Losada-Paisey (1998) employedthe MMPI-A in a study involving 21 juvenile males adjudicated of crimes ofa sexual nature and 3 juvenile males adjudicated for nonsexual offensesincluding possession of narcotics, burglary, criminal mischief, assault,and other crimes involving property. (1996). For the purposes of the proposed study, which will involve a sample ofadjudicated male juvenile offenders, the disorder of "criminal behavior"will be assumed to be present. Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life. Caputo, Frick, and Brodsky (1999) compared juvenile sex offenders toother juvenile offenders and found that the former exhibited higher levelsof poor impulse control, a callous and unemotional interpersonal style, andsexist attitudes toward women. Personality and criminal profile of adolescent sexual offenders, general offenders in comparison to nonoffenders. Participation in the study is, of necessity, entirely voluntary.Juveniles in both groups receiving treatment and/or their parents orguardians may not be willing to give informed consent or to agree toparticipation in the study. (1998). Studies of adolescent sex offenders have shown that themajority commit their first sexual offense before the age of 15 and notinfrequently before the age of 12 (Practice parameters for..., 1999). Court and clinical records will be used toidentify participants as either sex offenders or non-sex offenders. Both juvenile sex offenders and non-sexoffender delinquents were equally likely to have witnessed severe domesticviolence in their homes. Once the possible population of both types of juvenile offenders hasbeen identified from agency and court records, informed consent from theoffender and his parent or guardian will be obtained. Sexual assaults committed by adolescents are a growing societalconcern. (1999). Psychopathy, as measured by the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised(PCL-R), is one of the most factors in understanding and predictingcriminal behavior, including sex offenses. ReferencesButler, S.M., & Seto, M.C. The size of the sample will therefore beinfluenced by this variable and by the caseloads of those agencies ororganizations able to provide potential participants. Losada-Paisey (1998) reported a high level of both reliabilityand validity in a similar study. Evanston, IL: Scott ForesmanGretton, H.M., McBride, M., Hare, R.D., O'Shaughnessy, R., & Kumka, G. However, since the studycalls for the MMPI-A to be administered by clinicians currently treatingthe potential subjects, confidentiality can be maintained. Also included in this category is criminal behavior(Coleman, 199 ). (1994). Approximately 2 percent of all rapes and 3 to5 percent of child molestations are carried out by people younger than 18years of age. Ryan, Miyoshi, Metzner, Krugman, andFryer (1996) drew upon the Uniform Data Collection System (UDCS) that wasdeveloped by the National Adolescent Perpetrator Network to assess trendsin a sample of sexually abusive youth. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 28(4), 427-429+.Lakey, J.F. Psychological Reports, 83(1), 115-123.Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who are sexually abusive of others. The sample will be drawnfrom among members of a population currently receiving counseling and/orother psychiatric/social work services via a local criminal justice, youthservice, or other clinical agency. Among these characteristics, sexoffenders who are juveniles share with non-sex offending juveniles a rangeof behavioral disorders leading to a lack of internal locus of control.Both types of offenders may possess few social skills. Conduct disorders along with affectiveand borderline personality disorders also tend to predominate among sexoffenders who are adolescents. Additionally, Ryan, et al (1996) identified well over 62 percent ofthis sample as expressing little or no empathy for the victim of theiroffense, while 51 percent little or no remorse or guilt. Adolescence, 29(116), 755-762.Losada-Paisey, G. Lakey (1994) provided a profile of the most prominent characteristicsof male adolescent sex offenders. Results of thisstudy indicated a high degree of reliability and validity in distinguishingsex offenders from non-sex offenders according to the clinical scales ofthe MMPI-A. (2 1). Despite these limitations and the small sizeof the sample to be studied, the study offers an opportunity to gaininsight into the personality differences of two classes of juvenile maleoffenders. Psychopathy and recidivism in adolescent sex offenders. (2 2). After agreement to participate in the study has beenobtained, each subject will be administered the MMPI-A as described byLosada-Paisey (1998). Thus, examination of therelationship between personality disorders and a propensity for adolescentsex offenses is a vitally important research focus. These researches compared16 adolescent male sex offenders, 13 general offenders, and 13 non-offenders on a battery of psychometric tests. Issues regarding reliability andvalidity focus on the efficacy of the MMPI-A in differentiating between thepsychopathology of juvenile male offenders who either or are or are not sexoffenders. Attrition is not a limiting factor given that a single administrationof the MMPI-A will be undertaken. The dependentvariables consist of psychopathological differences, specificallymanifested as one of several possible personality disorders. Subjects were aged 13 to 17 and were incarcerated by the Stateof Connecticut at Long Lane School. The MMPI-A is a psychometric test for personality disorders thatincludes several relevant subscales, including the Psychopathic Deviate andSchizophrenia scales, the Hysteria scale, and the Psychasthenia scale(Losada-Paisey, 1998). Butler and Seto (2 2) nevertheless maintain that insufficientevidence of a higher incidence of major personality or other disorders inthe case of sex-offending juveniles has been generated to date. Use of the MMPI-A to assess personality of juvenile male delinquents who are sex offenders and non-sex offenders. Research Proposal: Psychopathology of Juvenile Male Sex OffendersReview of Literature There is evidence of a significant increase in the reports ofjuvenile sexual aggression and sexual abuse with sexual assault in generalone of the fastest growing violent crimes in the United States (Practiceparameters for..., 1999). The independentvariable in the research is offender status, specifically whether or notthe male adolescent has been arrested for and adjudicated as a sex offenderor not arrested for and adjudicated as a sex offender. A sample of 4 adjudicated juvenilemale offenders ages 12 to 18 will be constructed. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38(12), 55S-7 S.Ryan, G., Miyoshi, T.J., Metzner, J.L., Krugman, R.D., & Fryer, G.E. Random selectionwill be used to develop a population of no less than 2 male offenders ineach category. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 26(3), 338-339.Coleman, J.C.

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