The role of childhood trauma, psychological problems, and coping in the development of deviant sexual fantasies in sexual offenders

Development of a risk assessment tool for Japanese sex offenders: The Japanese Static-99

In Japan, sexual offending, especially paraphilic sexual offending, has become a major problem, and approximately 3000 people are arrested for frotteuristic and voyeuristic behavior each year. Considering the repetitive nature of such behaviors, determining the recidivism risk is imperative. Globally, Static-99 is one of the most widely used actuarial risk assessment tools to predict recidivism among sex offenders. However, sexual offending is largely influenced by social and cultural backgrounds, and whether risk factors identified in the West are applicable to other countries is unknown. Therefore, we developed a Japanese version of the Static-99 and examined its reliability and validity with 167 Japanese paraphilic sex offenders. The results showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.88) and predictive accuracy (area under the curve = 0.76). The results indicate that the Japanese Static-99 can be used with Japanese sex offenders. Moreover, risk factors identified in the Western context are applicable to Japanese sex offenders despite the different nature and manifestations of their offending.

Developmental factors associated with inappropriate coping strategies among sexual aggressors of children

BACKGROUND

Many studies in the field of sexual offending focus on the presence of inadequate coping strategies prior to sexual offending, and the role these strategies play in the sequence of the offense. However, little is known about the development of strategies-such as substance abuse and, especially, deviant sexual fantasies-to manage daily difficulties.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the antecedents of the development of inadequate coping strategies, we conducted a series of structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

Based on 274 sexual aggressors of children, these analyses were based on components of Maniglio (2011a) theoretical model, in which victimization before the age of 18 leads to the development of psychological problems and, ultimately, the reliance on deviant sexual fantasies as a coping strategy.

METHODS

Two models were created through exploratory factorial analysis: the first model comprised 19 manifest variables, while the second model consisted of 15 manifest variables. All the retained variables were related to Maniglio's (2011a) hypothesis.

RESULTS

The analyses not only confirm Maniglio's hypothesis but also produced two statistically significant models (RMSEA = 0.069, CFI = 0.93 and TLI = 0.92 for Model 1 & RMSEA = 0.074, CFI = 0.93 and TLI = 0.91 for Model 2) composed of three indirect trajectories and one direct trajectory on the one hand, and four indirect trajectories and one direct trajectory on the other hand.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are consistent with those of studies that have highlighted the heterogeneity of sexual aggressors of children.

Inadequate Coping Strategies of Men who Have Committed Sexual Aggression Against Women: A Study of Their Developmental Antecedents

Several researchers have found that men who have committed sexual aggression have inadequate coping strategies (e.g., paraphilic sexual fantasies, substance abuse). However, very few researchers have empirically examined the factors potentially associated with the development of these strategies. In 2011, Maniglio hypothesized that the inadequate coping strategies of men who have committed sexual aggression are the result of childhood victimization, mediated by internalized psychological problems. The present study therefore empirically tested this hypothesis in a Canadian sample of 205 men who had committed sexual aggression against women, of whom 37 committed sexual murder. Structural equation modeling (SEM) resulted in the identification of several direct and indirect trajectories leading from childhood victimization (psychological, physical, sexual) to the development of inadequate coping strategies (paraphilic sexual fantasies, alcohol and drug use) mediated by internalized psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, social isolation). The theoretical and clinical implications of these developmental trajectories are discussed.

Paraphilic Sexual Attraction to Males Without Genitals Is Associated with Traumatic Childhood Experience, Body Image, and Thoughts/Behaviors Related to Genital Ablation

In rare cases, some male individuals are sexually attracted to men who have their genitals removed. We investigate here if paraphilic attraction to men without genitals was associated with childhood experience, body image, and thoughts/behaviors related to body modification. An online survey, consisting of both validated questionnaires and questions developed by our team, was launched on the Eunuch Archive and MTurk websites. Out of 875 participants, 48.5 and 32.2% reported being attracted to males without testicles or without a penis, respectively; 49.7 and 31.0% felt they would themselves be attractive without testicles and without a penis, respectively. In terms of body modification, many reported having tattoos (19.0%) and piercings (26.1%). About half (48.3%) had played as children with male action figures without genitals, i.e., GI Joe, and Ken dolls. Additionally, some participants reported having: (1) witnessed animal castration (23.7%); (2) having been threatened with castration during their childhood (11.9%); (3) receiving genital injuries inflicted by others (11.0%); (4) pretending to be castrated (60.2%); (5) thinking of self-castration (54.2%); or (6) injuring their own penis (23.4%). Having received genital injuries inflicted by others was associated with attraction to males without testicles (OR = 1.997, p < .05), but not for attraction to males without a penis. Paraphilic attraction to males without genitals (i.e., castrated or penectomized) was associated with feeling attractive without genitals, having pretended to be castrated, considering self-castration, and having injured one's own penis. In conclusion, paraphilic attraction to males without genitals may be associated with traumatic early life events, body image, and desire for one's own genital ablation.

Examining Associations Between Race, Gender, Alcohol Use, School Performance, and Patterns of Bullying in the School Context: A Latent Class Analysis

Although many studies addressed bullying occurrence and its associations, they often use individual variables constructed from few items that probably are inadequate to evaluate bullying severity and type. We aimed to identify involvement patterns in bullying victimization and perpetration, and its association with alcohol use, school performance, and sociodemographic variables. Baseline assessment of a randomized controlled trial were used and a latent class analysis was conducted to identify bullying patterns among 1,742 fifth-grade and 2,316 seventh-grade students from 30 public schools in São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected using an anonymous self-reported, audio-guided questionnaire completed by the participants on smartphones. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed to verify how covariant variables affected bullying latent classes. Both grades presented the same four latent classes: low bullying, moderate bullying victimization, high bullying victimization, and high bullying victimization and perpetration. Alcohol use was associated with all bullying classes in both grades, with odds ratio up to 5.36 (95% CI 3.05; 10.38) among fifth graders from the high bullying victimization and perpetration class. Poor school performance was also strongly associated with this class (aOR = 10.12, 95%CI = 4.19; 24.41). Black/brown 5th graders were 3.35 times more likely to fit into the high bullying victimization class (95% CI 1.34; 8.37). Lack of evidence for association of sociodemographic variables and bullying latent class among seventh-grade students was found. Bullying and alcohol use are highly harmful behaviors that must be prevented. However, prevention programs should consider how racial and gender issues are influencing the way students experience violence.

Castration for Pleasure: Exploring Extreme Castration Ideations in Fiction

The Eunuch Archive (EA) is an online community which includes individuals who read and write sexual fantasies with themes related to castration and eunuchs. Here we analyzed the 100 stories rated highest by EA readers among the >8800 currently posted. Our goal was to gain insights into commonalities within, and specifics of, castration sexual fantasies. Simply stated, we want to know what the authors (and readers) fantasize about and why. The most popular EA stories link sexual gratification and romantic partnership with genital abuse. They are characterized by the absence of consent for genital ablations and multiple SM-related paraphilias. Many stories feature attraction to, and ablation of, the genitals of pubescent or adolescent males. Some EA members have acted on their interests and been voluntarily castrated. Others wish to be. The most popular stories in the EA collection typically link the sacrifice via SM abuse to securing a permanent sexual partnership. The idea of sacrificing one's genitals to build dyadic adhesion has been noted before in individuals with extreme castration ideations. Here we identify the common features of sexualized fantasies that are popular among individuals with exceptional interest in castration.

Identifying the Coping Strategies of Nonoffending Pedophilic and Hebephilic Individuals From Their Online Forum Posts

Individuals who identify as pedophilic or hebephilic, and who do not offend, are increasingly visible in online discourse and as a focus of research. Developing knowledge about this population will offer insights into their psychological needs and, potentially, into the mechanisms and strategies individuals use to live offense-free lives. This study examined coping strategies among members of an online forum supporting pedohebephilic individuals who do not wish to offend. Forum users' posts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Eleven themes emerged, which were classifiable into three superordinate themes around (a) the acceptance of pedophilia, (b) strategies to stay safe, and (c) dealing with sexual arousal. These themes offer insight into the varying strategies used by these individuals to cope with stress and/or to remain offense-free. Understanding whether these strategies are adaptive or maladaptive may help develop better support services for those who have not offended and may inform prevention efforts.

Child Sex Offender Mind-Set and Grooming Strategies: A Discourse Analysis of Sex Offender Narratives from South Africa

Violence against children, particularly sexual violence continues to threaten South African society. Whilst severely under-reported, the perpetration of child sexual abuse (CSA) against boys and girls is a significant societal concern, underpinned by adverse childhood familial instability, childhood abuse in particular sexual abuse, violence, inequality and wider structural forces. The research base is growing, despite low disclosure rates and significant barriers to access. In order to better understand unique trajectories of perpetration of CSA, particular to the South African context, we conducted an in-depth qualitative study with twelve male child sex offenders who were attending a therapeutic, rehabilitation programme. They provided open discourse on the forms of enticement, exploitation or entrapment of child victims, including threats of harm, used to elicit compliance into sexual activities. They disclosed trauma dictated fantasy, and that they felt powerful and in control, when they sexually abused their victims. Most of the offenses took place in their own home. By delving into the strategies and mind set of the offender who sexually abuse children, this study provides evidence of a distinct and deliberate, 'grooming process' used by offenders; and emphasizes the cyclic patterns of offending. Understanding these truths explores its potential for the prevention of the CSA. In its entirety, the research deconstructs the strategies of the offender and examines their actual role in the onset of sexually offending behavior against children; in order to draw out the implications of these complexities for policy, practice, crime prevention, particularly in terms of the prevention of CSA.

Differences in the Psychological, Sexual, and Childhood Experiences Among Men with Extreme Interests in Voluntary Castration

Some genetic males seek voluntary castration. We designed a survey to compare the psychological, sexual, and childhood experiences for subgroups of men with extreme interest in castration. The survey was posted on the Eunuch Archive, an online platform for individuals interested in the topic. Data from 822 individuals were included in the analyses. Respondents were divided into four groups: Interested (claiming only an interest in castration topics), Fantasy (fantasize about castration sexually, but not desiring castration), Wannabe (considering being castrated in the future), and Castrated (already castrated). More individuals desiring castration (Wannabe and Castrated groups) claimed equal attraction to both sexes than individuals in the Interested group. The Interested group was more religious than the other groups, and the Fantasy group had lower sexual guilt than those with castration desire. All groups had similar psychological well-being and body image acceptance, despite the Castrated group having lower sexual functioning than the others. Childhood trauma was more common in those with castration desire than those without. The Interested group had a lower desire for castration, lower erotic attraction to castration, and pretended to be castrated at a younger age than the others. Childhood trauma and sexual guilt are common, but not limited, predictors for castration desire and erotic attraction to castration, respectively. In conclusion, childhood experiences, as well as psychological and sexual parameters, may vary in different subgroups of males with interests in castration.

A Meta-analysis Comparing Male Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended Against Intrafamilial Versus Extrafamilial Victims

This meta-analysis examined whether theoretically and clinically relevant differences exist between male adolescents who have sexually offended against intrafamilial victims (AIV) and male adolescents who have sexually offended against extrafamilial victims (AEV). A total of 26 independent samples (8 published and 18 unpublished) that compared a total of 2169 AIV and 2852 AEV were analyzed. The results of this meta-analysis indicate that categorizing male adolescents who commit sexual offenses based on their relationship to victims is a meaningful distinction. We found that AIV presented with greater atypical sexual interests, increased sexual regulation issues, more severe family dysfunction, more extensive childhood maltreatment histories, and greater internalizing psychopathology than AEV. Conversely, AEV presented with more indicators of antisociality than AIV, suggesting that extrafamilial sexual offending might fit better with a generalist explanation of adolescent sexual offending. Findings highlight the value of assessing family dysfunction and maltreatment history, sexual development and regulation, and general delinquency factors to better understand adolescents who have committed a sexual offense.

Into the Wild, Out of the Woods: A Systematic Case Study on Facilitating Emotional Change

Cognitive and behavioral treatment programs for individuals who have committed sexual offenses (ISOs) have shown significant but small effect sizes. A growing body of research points toward the importance of difficulties in affect regulation (AR) as a risk factor for sexual recidivism. On this basis, it seems important to target difficulties in AR in treatment. The current systematic case study investigates the potential contribution of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) to changing problematic AR in ISOs. Kevin was a high-risk offender with a traumatic history who met the diagnostic criteria of pedophilic and borderline disorders, with serious AR difficulties. Self-report outcome measures, observation measures, and a biomarker were used to track changes in AR, psychological symptoms, and distress during baseline (Phase A); treatment as usual (Phase B); treatment with an EFT component added (Phase C); and follow-up (Phase A). Statistically significant change was found in AR, psychological symptoms, and distress during treatment (Phase B + C); however, it is not possible to attribute these changes causally to EFT. An examination of the qualitative process data provides deeper insights into how the client reacted to specific EFT interventions. Verbatim clinical vignettes are included to clarify key interventions, hindrances, and mechanisms of change. This study provides preliminary support for the role of therapy to facilitate emotional change in ISOs.

Differentiating Adults With Mixed Age Victims From Those Who Exclusively Sexually Assault Children or Adults

Although adults who have sexually offended against both child and adult victims (i.e., adults with mixed aged sexual offense victims [MASOVs]) have been found at increased risk to reoffend, they have been a neglected and rarely studied group of individuals who have sexually offended. The present study explored their differentiating characteristics by comparing them with adults who had sexually offended exclusively against children (child sex offense victims [CSOVs]) or adults (adult sex offense victims [ASOVs]). Using an extensive database gathered on offenders examined for civil commitment, we found that although MASOVs were not distinguished from the other types of offenders by any specific developmental trauma, they cumulatively tended to be higher across traumas. They evidenced lower self-esteem relative to both other offender types. In addition, MASOVs, like ASOVs, exhibited higher levels of psychopathy relative to CSOVs. The implications of these findings for etiology and treatment are discussed.

Transcultural differences of psychologically traumatised children and adolescents

Background

The symptoms following a traumatic event as well as the coping strategies can be culture specific. The objective of the present study was to analyse the transcultural differences of psychologically traumatized children and adolescents with and without migration background.

Methods

The medical files of 199 psychologically traumatized children and adolescents (99 native Austrian, 100 Turkish-speaking) who were treated at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Vienna were retrospectively analysed.

Results

The most frequently observed causes of trauma in patients with Turkish migration background were intra-familial conflicts, forced separation from parent(s), and conforming to a new environment. In native Austrian patients, forced separation from parent(s) and divorce or separation of parents were the leading causes of trauma. Trauma-related symptoms like changed mood, cognitive and perceptual disturbance, social withdrawal, sleeping problems, somatisation and behavioural problems were similarly observed in both groups; “sleeping problems” were more often observed in Austrian patients, and “behavioural problems” were more often observed in Turkish patients. More Austrian patients (32.7%) obtained psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment. Turkish-speaking patients mostly obtained psychiatric treatment only. Patients with migration background were more compliant compared to indigenous patients.

Conclusions

Both study groups differed in type, causes and symptoms of trauma, and in preferred therapy. Turkish-speaking patients were more compliant with therapy, as they received culture and language-sensitive medical advice and treatment in their mother tongue. Considering the cultural background of patients can optimize service delivery and therapy outcomes among children and adolescents with stressful and traumatic experiences.

Sexual reoffense trajectories with youths in the child welfare system

The present study sought to determine whether the persistence of problematic sexualized behaviors (PSBs) committed by boys in the Massachusetts child welfare system would lend support to previous taxonomies categorizing offenders as early-onset/life course-persistent, adolescence-onset/adolescence-limited, or childhood-limited in their offending behavior. We examined the persistence of PSBs in a male sample (N=638; age range: two to 17), using a retrospective longitudinal archival design. Procedures involved a comprehensive archival review of records from the Department of Children and Families. Subsamples were established by trifurcating the sample based on age at the time of the boys' first documented PSB, resulting in age cohorts reflecting early childhood (age two to seven), middle childhood (age eight to 11), and preadolescence/adolescence (age 12-17). Results supported the hypothesis that youths who first exhibited PSBs in early childhood would produce higher sexual reoffense rates during each of three follow-up windows (i.e., three years, five years, and seven years) than youths who first exhibited such behaviors in middle childhood, or preadolescence/adolescence (p<0.01 for all group contrasts). Findings supported the distinctions of several taxonomies classifying youthful offenders in the juvenile justice system. Abuse reactivity, coping ability, and vulnerability to iatrogenic intervention effects are considered as some of many possible contributing factors.

Significance, Nature, and Direction of the Association Between Child Sexual Abuse and Conduct Disorder: A Systematic Review

To elucidate the significance, nature, and direction of the potential relationship between child sexual abuse and conduct disorder, all the pertinent studies were reviewed. Ten databases were searched. Blind assessments of study eligibility and quality were performed by two independent researchers. Thirty-six studies including 185,358 participants and meeting minimum quality criteria that were enough to ensure objectivity and to not invalidate results were analyzed. Across the majority of studies, conduct disorder was significantly and directly related to child sexual abuse, especially repeated sexual molestation and abuse involving penetration, even after controlling for various sociodemographic, family, and clinical variables. The association between child sexual abuse and conduct disorder was not confounded by other risk factors, such as gender, socioeconomic status, school achievement, substance problems, physical abuse, parental antisocial behavior or substance problems, parent-child relationships, and family disruption, conflict, or violence. Evidence for a significant interactive effect between child sexual abuse and monoamine oxidase A gene on conduct disorder was scant. Early sexual abuse might predispose to the subsequent onset of conduct disorder which, in turn, may lead to further sexual victimization through association with sexually abusive peers or involvement in dangerous situations or sexual survival strategies.

Sexual interest in children among an online sample of men and women: prevalence and correlates

The purpose of the present study was to explore the extent to which men and women in the general population report sexual interest in children and to examine distinct developmental experiences associated with self-reported sexual interest. Participants (262 females and 173 males) were recruited online and completed a questionnaire assessing sexual interest and adverse childhood experiences. Among men, 6% indicated some likelihood of having sex with a child if they were guaranteed they would not be caught or punished, as did 2% of women. Nine percent of males and 3% of females indicated some likelihood of viewing child pornography on the Internet. Overall, nearly 10% of males and 4% of females reported some likelihood of having sex with children or viewing child pornography. Males and females with any sexual interest in children reported higher likelihoods of engaging in other antisocial or criminal behaviors and also reported more dysfunctional childhoods (i.e., histories of sexual abuse, insecure parent-child attachments). Theoretical implications of the findings and suggestions for preventing the sexual victimization of children are provided.

Juveniles who have committed sexual offenses: a special group?

Juveniles who have committed sexual offenses (JSOs) are subject to specialized interventions and public policies based on the assumption that they constitute a unique group distinct from other delinquents. Previous research has demonstrated considerable similarities between these groups, though some consistent differences have been found and some theory-relevant constructs have been inadequately studied. The current study compares 119 delinquents and 108 JSOs on a number of theory-relevant constructs. Consistent with theories positing a unique etiology for sexual offending, JSOs reported higher rates of sexual abuse and anxiety as well as fewer consensual sexual partners, less delinquent activity, and lower callous-unemotional traits; however, there were no differences detected in the majority of characteristics examined (e.g., attachment, sensation-seeking). Physical and emotional abuse did not predict sex offending after controlling for sexual abuse, but lower callous-unemotional traits did predict sex offending after controlling for total delinquent behavior. Additional research on constructs little studied in previous research (e.g., sexual history and development, attachment) is needed, but evidence to date suggests considerable overlap between these populations. Perhaps subgroups of JSOs are distinct from generally delinquent youth; however, a focus on offender characteristics or trajectories of behavior problems may prove more fruitful than categorizing youth based on a single behavior.

Suicidal ideations and attempts among adolescents subjected to childhood sexual abuse and family conflict/violence: the mediating role of anger and depressed mood

Based on a sample of 9085 16- to 19-year-old students attending all high schools in Iceland in 2004, the current study examines depressed mood and anger as potential mediators between family conflict/violence and sexual abuse, on the one hand, and suicidal ideations and suicide attempts on the other. Agnew's general strain theory provides the theoretical framework for the study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted allowing explicit modelling of both direct and mediating effects using observed and latent variables. The findings showed that both depressed mood and anger mediated the relationship between family conflict/violence and sexual abuse and suicidal attempts. However, when testing the mediating pathways between sexual abuse and family conflict/violence and suicidal ideations, only depressed mood but not anger turned out to be a significant mediator. The authors discuss how these finding may inform and facilitate the design and development of interventions to reduce the likelihood of suicide attempts among young people.

A relational frame theory account of the emergence of sexual fantasy

Sexual fantasy is common among humans and often serves to facilitate sexual arousal. Although some fantasies may be directly related to a person's past experiences, others may be unrelated to direct history, and these are thus more difficult to explain. Relational frame theory is a comprehensive account of human language and cognition that may assist in understanding the processes involved in the emergence of sexual fantasy. This article presents a primer on relational frame theory, along with examples of how relations between stimuli may influence a person's private experience of sexual fantasy.

The impact of child sexual abuse on the course of bipolar disorder: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to elucidate the impact of child sexual abuse on all clinical phenomena that occur after the onset of bipolar disorder, including associated clinical features that are not part of the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.

METHODS

Five databases were searched and supplemented with a hand search of reference lists from retrieved papers. Study quality was assessed using a validated quality assessment tool. Blind assessments of study eligibility and quality were conducted by two independent researchers to reduce bias, minimize errors, and enhance the reliability of findings. Disagreements were resolved by consensus.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies that included a total of 2996 adults and youths with bipolar disorder and met the minimum quality criteria necessary to ensure objectivity and not invalidate results were analyzed. Across studies, child sexual abuse was strongly (and perhaps directly) associated with posttraumatic stress disorder; whereas it was less strongly (and perhaps indirectly) related to suicide attempts, alcohol and/or drug abuse or dependence, psychotic symptoms, and an early age of illness onset. In regard to the association between child sexual abuse and other clinical variables concerning the course of bipolar disorder, evidence was scant or conflicting.

CONCLUSIONS

Child sexual abuse is associated (either directly or indirectly) with some clinical phenomena that represent a more severe form of bipolar disorder. Although such a traumatic experience may directly affect the development of posttraumatic stress disorder, the effects of early sexual abuse on later suicidal behavior, substance abuse, and psychotic symptoms may operate through the mediating influences of certain psychopathological or neurobiological variables.

Child sexual abuse in the etiology of anxiety disorders: a systematic review of reviews

There is considerable controversy about the role of child sexual abuse in the etiology of anxiety disorders. Although a growing number of research studies have been published, these have produced inconsistent results and conclusions regarding the nature of the associations between child sexual abuse and the various forms of anxiety problems as well as the potential effects of third variables, such as moderators, mediators, or confounders. This article provides a systematic review of the several reviews that have investigated the literature on the role of child sexual abuse in the etiology of anxiety disorders. Seven databases were searched, supplemented with hand search of reference lists from retrieved papers. Four meta-analyses, including 3,214,482 subjects from 171 studies, were analyzed. There is evidence that child sexual abuse is a significant, although general and nonspecific, risk factor for anxiety disorders, especially posttraumatic stress disorder, regardless of gender of the victim and severity of abuse. Additional biological or psychosocial risk factors (such as alterations in brain structure or function, information processing biases, parental anxiety disorders, family dysfunction, and other forms of child abuse) may interact with child sexual abuse or act independently to cause anxiety disorders in victims in abuse survivors. However, child sexual abuse may sometimes confer additional risk of developing anxiety disorders either as a distal and indirect cause or as a proximal and direct cause. Child sexual abuse should be considered one of the several risk factors for anxiety disorders and included in multifactorial etiological models for anxiety disorders.

Prevalence of child sexual abuse among adults and youths with bipolar disorder: a systematic review

To estimate the prevalence and social and demographic correlates of child sexual abuse among people with bipolar disorder, the findings of all the pertinent studies were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed. Five databases were searched. Blind assessments of study eligibility and quality were conducted by two independent researchers. Twenty studies, meeting minimum quality standards and including 3407 adults and youths with bipolar disorder across 10 countries and 3 continents, were examined. The prevalence of child sexual abuse was 24% (23% without outliers); however, such prevalence rate might be underestimated, because many studies restricted definitions to the most severe forms of abuse. Child sexual abuse was a common experience for both males and females, while it was more frequent for adults than for youths. Compared to healthy individuals, patients with bipolar disorder reported higher rates of child sexual abuse; compared to populations with other mental disorders, participants with bipolar disorder reported similar or lower rates of such abuse. Individuals with bipolar disorder are at risk of having a history of child sexual abuse, although such risk seems to be neither more specific to nor stronger for these individuals, compared to people with other psychiatric disorders.

[Socio-demographic Characterization of Psychosexual Development and Crime in Men Convicted of Sexual Crimes Imprisoned in the Manizales Penitentiary Center]

This article introduces the socio-demographic characteristics of psychosexual development and sexual crimes in men deprived of liberty for such crimes who are doing time in a Manizales prison (Colombia) in 2011. It also describes the differences between abusers of individuals under 12 years of age or who are 12 years old, and abusers of individuals over that age.

METHODOLOGY

This is a descriptive, retrospective study performed by simple random sampling. It consisted of semi-structured interviews in which socio-demographic characteristics, psychosexual development, characteristics of crime, and prevalence of mental disorders were analyzed in a sample of 80 inmates convicted of sexual offenses at the Medium-security Pentientiary center in the city of Manizales. Univariate and bivariate analysis were performed using the χ(2) test and the logistic regression analysis with variables showing statistical significance in the bivariate analysis.

RESULTS

It was found that convicted sex offenders belong to lower socioeconomic levels, have low educational levels, and did not receive any sexual education. Such findings become more relevant when the crimes in questions are committed against 12-year-olders or children under this age.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of sexual education, low educational levels and lower socioeconomic levels are associated factors in the case of sexual offenses. It is important for society (particularly health-care institutions) to find additional measures for the criminalization of such behaviors in order to achieve a better control of the problem.

Does recent physical and sexual victimization affect further substance use for adult drug-involved offenders?

This study examined whether physical and sexual victimization experiences were related to further substance use for a sample of drug-involved adult offenders and whether this increase could be attributed to depression experienced after the victimization occurred. A total of 674 men and 284 women from the longitudinal Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation (MADCE) were included in analyses. The study included 23 drug court and 6 comparison sites. Study participants completed three interviews: at baseline enrollment and then at 6 and 18 months after baseline. Multilevel path modeling showed that physical and sexual victimization experiences during the year before the baseline interview were associated with further substance use at 18 months and that this relationship was mediated by depression. All relationships held for both men and women, and beyond the contribution of several control variables, including drug court program participation. Public health and criminal justice personnel working with substance-using offenders should screen individuals for victimization-related trauma and, if identified, provide assistance to evaluate and improve such individuals' mental health and, subsequently, decrease their likelihood of using substances.