The present study examined cognitive distortions of child molesters on probation or parole in Japan utilizing an 18-item questionnaire administered in a treatment program conducted by the probation officers. This study analyzed the responses of child molesters (n = 51), non-child-molesting sexual offenders (n = 65), and non-offenders (n = 64). Factor analysis of the responses showed three types of cognitive distortions: Rationalization of Offending Behavior, Minimization of Responsibility for Offending, and Minimization of Victim Harm. Welch's analysis of variance followed by Games-Howell post hoc tests revealed that the child molesters scored significantly higher than the non-offender group on the Rationalization of Offending Behavior subscale and the Minimization of Responsibility for Offending subscale, and significantly higher than the non-child-molesting sexual offender group on the Minimization of Responsibility for Offending subscale. The authors discuss the meanings of these three types of cognitive distortions and future research issues.
Research in Western countries has indicated that the cognitive distortions of sexual offenders play an etiological and maintenance role in offending. The present study examines whether the cognitive distortions hypothesized by previous Western studies can be found in Japanese sexual offenders against women. This study used the questionnaire administered by probation officers in the special cognitive-behavioral treatment programs for sexual offenders, which have been implemented since 2006 in Japan. Participants in the offender group were 80 Japanese male probationers and parolees (more than 19 years old, M age = 34.6, SD = 8.8) convicted of rape ( n = 39) or indecent assault ( n = 41). All of them attended special treatment programs at probation offices. The non-offender comparison group consisted of 95 Japanese male probation officers and police officers ( M age = 35.5, SD = 11.4). A factor analysis of the questionnaire responses extracted three factors: Blaming the Victim, Minimization, and Avoidance of Responsibility. The data analyses showed that sexual offenders scored significantly higher than non-offender participants on the three subscales. No significant differences were found among four sexual offender groups classified as rapists or indecent assaulters and with or without previous convictions for sexual offenses. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that rapists and indecent assaulters placed on probation or parole in Japan hold cognitive distortions concerning sexual assaults against women than the control group of probation and police officers. The findings of this study also suggest that cognitive distortions exhibited by sexual offenders against women transcend cultural divides.
The purpose of the present one-year follow-up study was to describe and investigate the change in the amount of antipsychotic drugs prescribed for ACT (assertive community treatment) clients in Japan. Subjects were 52 clients of ACT from January 2009 to December 2009. Prescription data were collected each month from the time the clients entered into ACT. The results of a Wilcoxon signed-rank test show that the dosage of antipsychotics significantly decreased from 1,131.3 mg to 731.3 mg over the course of the 12 months (Z = -2.505, p = 0.012).
This study explored factors to reduce drug-related recidivism among paroled methamphetamine users in Japan, especially the significance of continuing care and motivation, internationally shown as positively related to better treatment outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed on 10-year drug-related recidivism data from 4,084 methamphetamine users paroled in 2007 who received a mandatory educational program conducted by professional and volunteer probation officers. Independent variables included participant characteristics, an index of motivation, and the length of parole as a substitute for the duration of continuing care with consideration of the Japanese legal system structures and socio-cultural context. Older age, lower number of previous prison sentences, shorter imprisonment, longer parole, and index of higher motivation were significantly and negatively associated with drug-related recidivism. The results indicate the benefit of continuing care and motivation on treatment outcomes, regardless of the differences in socio-cultural context and criminal justice system.
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