Effect of sex offenders treatment program on cognitive and emotional characteristics of mentally ill sex offenders.

Psychotherapy

April 2021

Full Citation

Kim, J.-H., Choi, S. S., Rhee, M. S., Kim, S. B., Joung, J. S., & Kim, E. H. (2012). Effect of sex offenders treatment program on cognitive and emotional characteristics of mentally ill sex offenders. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57(6), 1608-1613. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02222.x

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of a 10-week cognitive behavior treatment program in 30 mentally ill sex offenders. The effect of the program was evaluated using the Interpersonal Responsiveness Index (IRI), UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS), Coping Using Sex Inventory (CUSI), and Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMAS). Data were analyzed using the paired t-test. The ability of sex offenders to cope with sexual acts when they faced stressful situations and to accept the rape myth was significantly improved on CUSI (t = 2.09, p = 0.04) and RMAS (t = 5.45, p < 0.001). Feelings of isolation and the ability to empathize based on IRI (t = 0.62, p = 0.54) and UCLALS (t = 0.88, p = 0.38) were not significantly improved. To prevent recidivism, treatment for mentally ill sex offenders should focus on changes in their cognitive and emotional characteristics in addition to their main psychiatric illness. Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.