NCJ Number
209924
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 13 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 281-293
Date Published
2004
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article reports on a meta-analysis of 10 studies that assessed the effectiveness of treatments for male juvenile sexual offenders (JSOs).
Abstract
Studies selected for the meta-analysis were derived from major reviews of the literature, literature searches in both the PsychInfo and Dissertation Abstracts International databases, Internet searches, and electronic mail sent to organizations and individuals identified in the Internet search who had produced unpublished reports on treatments of JSOs. The 10 studies that contained outcome measures of interest were coded for the analysis by using several categories suggested by Rosenthal (1991): type of treatment, therapist qualifications, mortality rate within the treatment group, mortality rate within the control group, type of publication, and outcome measure. Measures of treatment effectiveness have included recidivism rates, self-report measures, and the measurement of the JSOs arousal while exposed to sexual stimuli such as audio or videotapes. Overall, the results of the evaluations of the JSO treatment program showed them to be generally effective. Studies that used self-report measures of outcome obtained a 6-percent higher effect size than studies that used measures of arousal in response to deviant stimuli, and a 22-percent higher effect size than studies that used actual recidivism rates. Treatments that used cognitive-behavioral therapy were the most effective. Based on this finding, the authors recommend this treatment for JSOs. This approach focuses on identifying and reducing deviant sexual arousal and behavior through the development of social skills, problem solving, and anger management, along with empathy. 1 table and 35 references