NCJ Number
243151
Date Published
2011
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This chapter summarizes the typology research that supports the delineation of the following subtypes of sexually abusive youth: "psychosocial deficit," "lifestyle delinquency," "pedophilic interests," and "co-occurring mental disorder."
Abstract
The characteristics and treatment for each of these subtypes are discussed. The characteristics of each subtype pertain to offense patterns, clinical characteristics, and etiology. Juvenile sexual offenders characterized by "psychosocial deficit" have impaired social and interpersonal skills that result in turning to younger children for sexual gratification and social interaction. Treatment for this subtype focuses on sex offense-specific and social skills interventions. The "lifestyle delinquency" subtype consists of antisocial youth whose sexual offending is one aspect of a more generalized pattern of exploiting others. This subtype may require delinquency-focused treatment interventions. The "pedophilic interests" subtype consists of youth with a well-established deviant pattern of sexual arousal that is oriented toward children, which constitutes early-onset pedophilia. There are a number of cognitive-behavioral techniques that have been used with such juveniles that are designed to manage deviant sexual arousal. The "co-occurring mental disorder" subtype consists of adolescents handicapped by a psychiatric condition that impairs their ability to regulate and inhibit aggressive and sexual impulses. Dialectical behavioral therapy is a promising mental health treatment that focuses on severe and chronic multi-diagnostic, difficult-to-treat patients. The chapter concludes with two sections that address "General Assessment, Treatment, and Supervision Considerations" and the "Integration of Clinical Goals and Milieu Management." 57 references