NCJ Number
167674
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 105-119
Date Published
1996
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article reports the findings of a study that examined characteristics of adolescent sexual offenders who had and had not experienced abuse.
Abstract
The subjects of the study were approximately 300 adolescent offenders seen in a clinical treatment program. Abused and nonabused offenders were compared on a number of offense-specific variables and standardized instruments including the MMPI, Interpersonal Behavior Survey, Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, and Self-Reported Delinquent Behavior Checklist. Results indicated that those offenders who had been sexually abused had an earlier onset of their offending, had more victims, were likely to abuse both males and females, and tended to show more psychopathology and interpersonal problems, although no differences were found in terms of self-reported delinquent behavior or family functioning. Differences between groups in general criminality and delinquency were mixed. The article discusses these data in terms of their possible etiological significance and clinical implications. Table, references