Denial and Minimization Among Sexual Offenders: Posttreatment Presentation and Association with Sexual Recidivism

• NCJ Number: 221329
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2008 Pages: 69-98
• Author(s): Calvin M. Langton; Howard E. Barbaree; Leigh Harkins; Tamara Arenovich; Jim McNamee; Edward J. Peacock; Andrea Dalton; Kevin T. Hansen; Duyen Luong; Heidi Marcon
• Date Published: January 2008
• Length: 30 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Canada Correctional Service; Ontario Mental Health Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study examined the relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization among sex offenders in Canada.

Abstract

A dichotomous variable reflecting denial and minimization failed to predict sexual recidivism in this study. However, among a subset of 102 sex offenders who received no additional treatment after completing an initial program, the interaction between actuarial risk and scores on a continuous measure of minimization predicted sexual recidivism. The study examined the relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization among 436 sex offenders followed up for an average period of more than 5 years. Treatment completion status and psychopathic traits, both established predictors of sexual recidivism also associated with denial and minimization, were included in survival analyses to remove their confounding influence on the focal relationships. The potential role of actuarial risk as a moderating variable was also investigated. Implications for assessment, particularly the need to move beyond dichotomous operationalizations of denial and minimization, and treatment were discussed. Tables, figure, notes, references (Author abstract modified for presentation)