A randomised controlled trial of a cognitive behaviourally informed intervention for changing violent sexual attitudes among adult sexual offenders in prison

Alternative Therapies

August 2023

Full Citation

Ede, M.O., Okeke, C.I., & Onah, S.O. (2023). A randomised controlled trial of a cognitive behaviourally informed intervention for changing violent sexual attitudes among adult sexual offenders in prison. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 33(1), 46-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.2269

Abstract

Background: Predatory sexual acts by adults cause concern worldwide. Patterns of distorted thinking and weakened self-control are among the leading explanations. Amidst growing concerns about sexual offences in Nigeria, it might be that more psychologically informed interventions in prison could reduce the risks of further harm compared with the standard prison regime.

Aims: To test the effectiveness of a cognitive behaviourally informed intervention (CBII) in reducing violent sexual attitudes among men in prison in Nigeria for a sexual offence.

Methods: In a randomised controlled trial, men in two prisons who responded to in-prison advertising about the trial were screened for nature of offence and willingness to participate. Those nearing their sentence end or in other psychological therapy were excluded. Sample size was confirmed by power calculation. The Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Inventory (CSBI-22) and the Hypersexual Behaviour Inventory (HBI) were administered before, immediately after and 3 months after completion of a 12-session (18 h) Cognitive

Behavioural Informed Intervention or equivalent periods of ‘treatment as usual’ (TAU) alone. The CBII was designed to change sexual attitudes, and delivered by trained cognitive therapists to the men, as a group, in one of the prisons while the controls received only TAU in the other.