Family, social and personal variables in adolescent sex offenders

Abstract

Differences between abused and nonabused adolescent male sex offenders on familial, social, and personal variables were investigated. Participants were 20 molested, and 19 non molested adolescent sex offenders, and a comparison group of 15 nonsex offending, juvenile delinquents. All participants completed questionnaires on family environment (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales), peer support (People in My Life), and antisocial beliefs (Beliefs and Attitudes Scale). The adolescent’s care giver completed a measure of social isolation and conduct disorder in the adolescent (Child Behavior Checklist). Three significant ANOV As resulted for the Social Isolation scales of Withdrawn. Social Problems. and Social Participation. The three groups were on a continuum: molested sex offenders scored highest on Withdrawn and Social Problems and lowest on Social Participation, nonmolested adolescent sex offenders scored in the middle. while the comparison group scored lowest on Withdrawn and Social Problems and highest on Social Participation. The findings are discussed in relation to furthering understanding of assessment and treatment needs of adolescent male sex offenders.