Recidivism in pedophiles: an investigation using different diagnostic methods

The relationship between pedophilia and recidivism was examined in a sample of 206 extra-familial child molesters assessed at a university teaching hospital between 1982 and 1992. To address definitional issues, pedophilia was defined in one of four ways: (1) a DSM diagnosis made by a psychiatrist;...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of forensic psychiatry & psychology 2009-10, Vol.20 (5), p.680-701
Main Authors: Moulden, Heather M., Firestone, Philip, Kingston, Drew, Bradford, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
assessment
Biological and medical sciences
Child abuse
child molester
Diagnosis
Eating behavior disorders
Evaluation
Medical sciences
Offenders
Paedophilia
pedophilia
phallometry
Psychiatrists
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Recidivism
Recidivists
Sexual abuse
Social behavior disorders. Criminal behavior. Delinquency
Teaching hospitals
Techniques and methods
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Summary:The relationship between pedophilia and recidivism was examined in a sample of 206 extra-familial child molesters assessed at a university teaching hospital between 1982 and 1992. To address definitional issues, pedophilia was defined in one of four ways: (1) a DSM diagnosis made by a psychiatrist; (2) a deviant phallometric profile; (3) a combination of DSM diagnosis and deviant phallometric results; and, (4) high scores based on the Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interest (SSPI; Seto & Lalumière, 2001). Of the various definitions for pedophilia only phallometric assessment (PAI) distinguished between sexual recidivists and nonrecidivists. Overall recidivism rates were 22.8%, 33.9%, and 45.6% for sexual, violent, and any reoffence, respectively. No differences were found between pedophiles and nonpedophiles with respect to recidivism rates, regardless of how pedophilia was defined. Based on these results, the utility of the DSM diagnosis of pedophilia for the purpose of predicting future reoffending is discussed.
ISSN:1478-9949
1478-9957
DOI:10.1080/14789940903174055