Sexual Offender Differences Regarding Personality Patterns, Risk Factors, and Sexual Interest

This study examined differences in sexual offender groups related to personality characteristics, risk assessment, and victim age. In addition, the study examined differences between offenders related to sexual interest factors. The primary purpose was to determine differences in offenders as the identification of group differences could contribute to more effective treatment interventions. MANOVAs were used to assess differences between intrafamilial and extrafamilial offenders on scales of the MCMI-III. Independent Samples T-tests were used to assess differences between the type of offender (intrafamilial, extrafamilial, biological) regarding risk assessment scores from the Static-99. ANOVAs were used to assess differences between type of offender (intrafamilial, extrafamilial, contact, and non-contact) regarding scores of two scales of the AASI (Social Desirability, Cognitive Distortion). Chi-Square Tests for Independence were used to assess sexual interest as related to intrafamilial, biological, and non-contact sexual offenders. Finally, an Independent Samples T-test was used to determine if there were victim age differences for intrafamilial and extrafamilial offenders. The results indicated that there were no empirically identified differences in personality characteristics and sexual interest as a function of the relation of the child victim to the offender. Intrafamilial offenders were found to have significantly lower risk factors than extrafamilial offenders. The study also demonstrated that sexual offenders that were closer to the victim in terms of familial status were more likely to have younger victims than those who were non-related. These results confirm past research that suggests that there may be an emerging homogeneous personality type for a sexual offender that provides a contrast to the heterogeneity of the individuals who committed such an offense.