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Hostility and recidivism in sexual offenders
Philip Firestone1, Kevin L Nunes, Heather Moulden
1School of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. fireston@uottawa.ca
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|June 23, 2005
Summary
Hostility, measured by the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), predicts sexual offender recidivism. Managing anger and hostility in sexual offenders is crucial for reducing reoffending.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Hostility is a personality trait linked to aggression.
- Understanding factors predicting recidivism in sexual offenders is critical for public safety.
- The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) is a validated measure of hostility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between hostility and offense characteristics.
- To investigate the relationship between hostility and sexual/violent recidivism.
- To determine if hostility predicts recidivism independently of risk assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 656 adult male sexual offenders was assessed.
- Hostility was measured using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI).
- Recidivism data were analyzed in relation to hostility scores and risk level (RRASOR-mod).
Main Results:
- Hostility was significantly associated with prior violent charges, use of violence, sexual recidivism, and violent recidivism.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for risk level (RRASOR-mod).
- Hostility predicted recidivism in intrafamilial and extrafamilial child molesters, but not in rapists or mixed offenders.
Conclusions:
- Hostility is a significant predictor of recidivism in certain sexual offender groups, independent of risk assessment.
- Findings support the importance of targeting hostility and anger management in sexual offender treatment programs.
- Clinical interventions should focus on managing hostility to reduce recidivism rates.