The effectiveness of treatment for male sex offenders with learning disabilities: A review of the literature

Abstract

Background. A variety of research designs have been employed to explore the efficacy of the wide range of interventions for sex offenders with learning disabilities. This paper reviews these studies to consider the efficacy of such treatments. Methods. Computerized searches and less formal literature gathering led to the identification of 31 studies that reported outcome. Results. Many of the studies are methodologically flawed through failure to use a control group, small sample size, variations in inclusion criteria and definitions of learning disabilities and sexual offending, and lack of standardized outcome measures. Some credible studies have found better and more durable attitudinal change with treatment lasting at least two years. Conclusion. It is suggested that this area of work has still to establish a rigorous evidence base. The review concludes with some suggestions for future research and a consideration of the continued importance of this research.

Men with Intellectual Disabilities who have Attended Sex Offender Treatment Groups: A Follow‐Up

“…Without a no‐treatment group, it is not possible to be certain that the treatment was responsible for the gains made during treatment (Kazdin ). Courtney & Rose () concluded from their review that a lack of controls is a common limitation in the research: there have as yet been no studies of treatment in men with intellectual disabilities that have included control groups.…”

“…Wilcox ; Craig & Hutchinson ). Courtney & Rose () reviewed 31 treatment outcome studies and concluded that, despite methodological limitations, many studies demonstrated successful treatments (albeit with small numbers of participants). They noted a strong tendency for longer treatment programmes to offer more sustained change in cognitive distortions and reduced reoffending.…”

A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological approaches in the treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disabilities

“…The time spent in treatment appears to be a key factor in terms of progress and future reoffending rates. A greater length of time in treatment is associated with superior improvements in cognitive distortions and reduced reoffending rates over a longer period of time (Courtney & Rose, ; Keating, ; Lindsay, Neilson, et al., ). Day () reported better outcomes when the length of treatment was over two years, as did Lindsay and Smith () who reported significantly better outcomes for offenders treated over a 2‐year period in comparison with those treated for 1 year.…”

A Systematic Review of Behavioral Health Interventions for Sex Offenders With Intellectual Disabilities

“…The following study synthesizes findings surrounding the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments for sex offenders with IDD. This systematic review builds upon prior literature reviews examining treatments for sex offenders with IDD (e.g., Courtney & Rose, 2004; Craig, Stringer, & Moss, 2006; Keeling et al, 2008; Lindsay, 2002) by (a) covering multiple treatment modalities (individual or group), (b) providing a more detailed accounting of treatment procedures (implementation variables), (c) examining how cognitive (i.e., knowledge, attitudes) and behavioral changes were measured, and (d) analyzing how these studies followed participants to longitudinally assess treatment outcomes post-intervention. In recent years, several new empirical program evaluation studies have arisen that are yet to be qualitatively synthesized.…”