The development and evaluation of an emotion control training programme for sex offenders.

Alternative Therapies

April 2021

Full Citation

Roger, D., & Masters, R. (1997). The development and evaluation of an emotion control training programme for sex offenders. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 2(1), 51–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8333.1997.tb00332.x

Abstract

Evaluated the effectiveness of an emotion control training program for sex offenders. A pilot study was conducted using 18 inmates who completed the Emotion Control Questionnaire and the Coping Styles Questionnaire before and after training. The main study included 52 inmates. To avoid singling out sex offenders, Ss either volunteered themselves or were referred by prison staff, and the sample included 29 sex offenders and 23 murderers. Ss were assessed before training, immediately afterward, and again 6 wks later, and behavior ratings by prison staff were included in the main study in addition to the emotion control and coping scales. Results from the pilot study showed significant increases in adaptive coping and a reduction in impulsiveness following training. Results from the main study showed significantly less emotional rumination and inhibition and more adaptive coping immediately after the training, and there were also significant changes among selected behavior rating dimensions. Results confirmed that the training program was effective in modifying both attitudes and behavior among sex offenders, and that effects were replicated for a group of inmates with other offenses who were included in the sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)