An investigation of the relationship between an intensive group treatment experience and changes in denial and empathy in sex offenders (Doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego).

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May 2021

Full Citation

Stewart, C. K. (1995). An investigation of the relationship between an intensive group treatment experience and changes in denial and empathy in sex offenders (Doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego).

Abstract

While the majority of literature has focused on levels of denial in sex offenders, there are only four studies that specifically addressed levels of empathy. This study investigated the relationship between an intensive group treatment experience and changes in denial and empathy in sex offenders over time. Also of concern was how the length in treatment and typology of the sex offender affected their levels of denial and empathy. There were two groups of male sex offenders utilized: Sex offenders who attended the intensive group experience and sex offenders who did not attend intensive group experience. Both groups received weekly group treatment that utilized a cognitive-behavioral approach. There were no significant differences in regards to age, ethnicity, education, and typology. However, there were significant differences between the groups in the length of treatment. The length of treatment was not found to correlate with denial or empathy and therefore was not utilized as a covariate. The following measures were used: Demographic Questionnaire, Multiphasic Sex Inventory, and Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The measures were administered pretest (2 weeks before the intensive group experience), posttest (5 days after the intensive group experience), and follow-up (3 months after the intensive group experience). There was no significance between group differences on the level of denial at posttest and follow-up although there were within group differences at posttest and follow-up. Both groups were significantly lower in denial from posttest to follow-up. While it was hypothesized that the Intensive group would be significantly higher on their level of empathy compared to the Non-intensive group, this did not prove to be the case. There was an interaction between time and groups and their level of empathy. The Non-intensive group had a significantly lower level of empathy at posttest than the Intensive group. In fact the Non-intensive group continued to go belo (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)