Citation

Miller HA. Sex. Abuse 2015; 27(1): 34-50.

Affiliation

Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA hmiller@shsu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1079063214564389

PMID

25567534

Abstract

The relationship between protective strengths and risk, as assessed by the Inventory of Offender Risk, Needs, and Strengths, was examined with respect to the recidivism rate and type of reoffense in a sample of 110 adult males incarcerated for sexual offenses. The sample included offenders who were completing a prison-based sexual offense treatment program during the last 18 months of their incarceration. Approximately 40% of the sample recidivated in some way, including 6% sexually, within the 6-year follow-up time. Self-perceived protective strengths were significantly valid predictors for sexual, violent, and general recidivism. In regression analyses, protective strengths accounted for a unique portion of the variance in sexual recidivism while controlling for overall risk. Consistent with research on the importance of protective strengths with other offender types, the continued study and inclusion of protective strengths in the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders is warranted.

Language: en