Sex offending and social anxiety: A systematic review

Abstract

For innovative up-to-date research in an area to be developed, it is important to systematically, and critically evaluate the previous research. Sexual violence against children is one of the most serious crimes, with detrimental psychological and physical consequences on the victims. Contemporary theories of the development and maintenance of sexual offending against children incorporate intimacy deficits and social skills deficits. However, there is a dearth of research addressing the clinical needs of males who commit sexual offences against children. This systematic review critically evaluates previous research on the association between social anxiety and sexual offending against children. To identify studies relevant databases were searched and selected journals hand searched. Studies were evaluated for eligibility, data extracted and study quality assessed, with a second rater to establish inter-rater reliability. The results indicate eight of the eighteen studies reviewed reported an inconclusive statistical association with child sex offenders and social anxiety. Of the remaining ten studies, one study had a strong statistical association, four studies had a moderate statistical association and five studies were weak statistical association. Overall, the findings indicate methodological inconsistencies and lack of definitional clarity of subgroups of sex offenders, therefore comparison between studies is challenging.Further research in this area with definitional clarity of subgroups is required to inform evidence-based practice for this offender group.

Psychological treatment and therapeutic change in incarcerated rapists

“…Rapists may also have suffered traumatic family abandonment, affective rejection, negligent parents, erratic styles of upbringing, and so on during childhood (Maniglio, 2012). These traumatic early experiences tend to be related to severe emotional and communicative deficits, relationship problems, and social isolation (Ford & Linney, 1995;Hendriks & Bijleveld, 2004;Hulme & Middleton, 2013;Katz, 1990;Porter, Newman, Tansey, & Quayle, 2015;Van Wijk, 1999). To solve or compensate these problems, individuals may use inappropriate coping mechanisms such as a hyper-sexualisation of their emotionality and conduct, including deviant fantasies and masturbation (Mancini et al, 2012;Marshall & Marshall, 2014).…”

Child porn offenders, solicitation offenders and child sexual abusers: what the literature has to say

“…Social anxiety has been moderately associated with sex offenders. 40 The most prevalent Axis 1 diagnosis for adolescent and adult sex offenders include mood disorders (72%), anxiety disorders (approximately 39%), social phobia (approximately 22%), and substance abuse (alcohol and cocaine). 41 ADHD was found to be the third most common Axis 1 disorder.…”

“…71 Some of the research on social anxiety as it relates to sexual offenders is flawed in part due to the lack of consistent research protocol, definitions used (many of the studies predate the 2000's) as well as problematic assessment protocols used (some programs and researchers may not have assessed for and therefore failed to diagnose anxiety or other related disorders). 40 In addition, determining whether the sex offender or child molester experienced social anxiety or other Axis 1 disorders prior to offending versus following arrest, conviction and incarceration for sexual offending is nearly impossible. 67,72 Being arrested and convicted of a sex crime may be traumatizing for the offender and they may develop Axis 1 disorders, including social anxiety.…”

Revisão Sistemática dos Instrumentos de Avaliação Cognitiva de Autores de Agressão Sexual Contra Criança e Adolescente (AASCA)

“…Na literatura internacional, é possível mencionar ainda uma série de revisões de literatura sobre AASCA, sobretudo as que se apresentam como revisões sistemáticas, com uma diversidade de temas abordados. Entre eles, citam-se: tipologias (Robertiello & Terry, 2007); tratamento (Ward & Durrant, 2013); fatores de risco e de proteção (Piquero, Jennings, Diamond & Reingle, 2015); transtornos mentais (Valença, Nascimento, & Nardi, 2012); pedofilia (Gosling & Abdo, 2011); discussão legal (Loeber & Ahonen, 2014); ansiedade (Porter, Newman, Tansey & Quayle, 2015); cognição de autores de agressão sexual feminino (Colson, Boyer, Baumstarck & Loundou, 2013); DC (Nunes, & Jung, 2012) e tratamento andrógeno (Gooren, 2011). Contudo, embora pareça razoável a quantidade de estudos de revisão de literatura sobre os AASCA, eles deixam claro que as pesquisas sobre aspectos da sua cognição receberam, comparativamente, menor atenção até hoje.…”