The relationship between developmental variables, personality disorder, and risk in sex offenders

Previous research on the evaluation of the Challenge Project, a community treatment program for sex offenders in southeast London, identified the potential role of key developmental variables as enhancing actuarial risk measures to identify individuals at highest risk for community failure. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between developmental variables and later personality dysfunction in adult-hood, and the contribution of these factors to assessing risk for sexual recidivism, in a wider group of sex offenders managed in the community by the probation service. Over an 8-month period, 241 participants were assessed, including 162 child molesters and 79 rapists. A wide range of background data were collected, including the administration of several psychometric measures. A strong relationship was found between key developmental variables and adult mental health and personality difficulties, as well as a range of risk measures. The implications of the findings for further research are discussed.