NCJ Number
223237
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 44 Issue: 1/2 Dated: 2008 Pages: 24-40
Date Published
2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the application of a therapeutic factoring tool, the Yalom Cared Sort, in the treatment process of adolescent sex offenders.
Abstract
The study results found the relative ranking of certain therapeutic factors that adolescent sex offenders indicated were helpful to be similar to a psychiatric outpatient group, and a sample of adult offenders. The 12 therapeutic factors included: Catharsis; Self-Understanding; Group Cohesiveness; Interpersonal Learning (input and output); Existential Factors; Family Reenactment; Instillation of Hope; Universality; Altruism; Guidance and Identification. The adolescents ranked 9 of the 12 factors equivalently to the other groups, despite the wide variety of demographic and other differences between them. Relative to adult psychiatric outpatients, the adolescent sex offenders rated Instillation of Hope three ranks higher; Family Reenactment four ranks higher; and Interpersonal Learning (input) eight ranks lower. In comparison to adult sex offenders, both Universality and Instillation of Hope were rated three ranks higher, and Interpersonal Learning (input) four ranks lower. Rankings were correlated with age and treatment length, with an increase in age seeing a decrease in the ranking of Family Reenactment, and an increase in treatment length seeing an increase in the importance of Group Cohesiveness. The study indicates that determining the underlying factors that facilitate positive treatment outcome will help in the development and implementation of effective treatment. The study group consisted of 69 male adolescent sexual offenders who had completed 11 to 98 weeks of inpatient residential treatment, using the 60-item, 12-factor Yalom Cared Sort. The study group was comprised of offenders who receive both individual and group therapy in a voluntary residential treatment facility serving as a custody disposition for sexual offenses. Tables, references