Maltreatment and Depression in Adolescent Sexual Offenders with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study examined the self-reported presence and severity of abuse, neglect, and depressive symptoms for 43 adolescents adjudicated delinquent due to a sexual offense. Twenty-seven of the adolescent sexual offenders were also diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and 16 did not carry an auti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of child sexual abuse 2013-01, Vol.22 (1), p.72-89
Main Authors: Bleil Walters, Jessica, Hughes, Tammy L., Sutton, Lawrence R., Marshall, Stephanie N., Crothers, Laura M., Lehman, Cathryn, Paserba, Dave, Talkington, Vanessa, Taormina, Rochelle, Huang, Ann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult
Antisocial Behavior
Autism
Beck Depression Inventory
Child
Child Abuse
Child Abuse - psychology
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - complications
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - psychology
Child Neglect
Criminals
Criminals - psychology
Delinquency
Depression (Psychology)
Depression - etiology
Emotional Abuse
emotional neglect
Humans
Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Delinquency - psychology
Male
Mental depression
Methodology (Data Collection)
Offenses
Pennsylvania
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Self Report
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Offenders
Sex Offenses - psychology
Sexual Abuse
Surveys and Questionnaires
Teenagers
treatment needs
Treatment Programs
Young Adult
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study examined the self-reported presence and severity of abuse, neglect, and depressive symptoms for 43 adolescents adjudicated delinquent due to a sexual offense. Twenty-seven of the adolescent sexual offenders were also diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and 16 did not carry an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Both groups reported moderate to high levels of abuse and neglect. Adolescent sexual offenders with an autism spectrum disorder reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than those without an autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, of the group with an autism spectrum disorder, those reporting severe levels of emotional abuse and/or emotional neglect were more likely to also have depressive symptoms. Results suggest a need to tailor treatment programs to match the unique needs of sexual offenders.
ISSN:1053-8712
1547-0679
DOI:10.1080/10538712.2013.735357