Citation

Young MH, Justice JV, Edberg P. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2010; 54(1): 92-112.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X08322373

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this study, 120 males (60 sexual offenders and 60 non—sexual offenders) in psychiatric treatment while in prison were evaluated using neuropsychological, psychological, and sociological/demographic measures. All sexual offenders (N = 60) would be evaluated for potential civil commitment as sexually violent predators before prison release. Non—sexual offenders (N = 60) had not been convicted of a sexual offense. Sexual offenders demonstrated significantly more overall neuropsychological impairment suggesting diffuse brain differences, with dysfunction primarily associated with temporal and frontal brain cortexes; higher Psychopathy Checklist—Revised Factor 1 (Interpersonal/Affective) ratings and Rorschach responses indicated disordered attachment, disordered self-perception, and impulsive emotionality. Sexual offenders also were more likely to be younger and unmarried. Stepwise logistic regression analysis resulted in 80.20% accuracy of prediction of sexual offenders. Potential application of this empirically derived multidimensional description to treatment of sexual offenders is discussed. Potential limitations to generalization of this information are also discussed.