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Development of a computerized sexual assessment laboratory
G W Barnard1, L Robbins, D Tingle
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Computer-assisted psychological assessment offers reliable, patient-accepted tools for diagnosis and treatment. A new computerized psychosexual assessment lab aids in personalized treatment for sex offenders.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Forensic Science
- Computer Science
Background:
- Computer-assisted psychological assessment (CAPA) has been utilized for 25 years.
- CAPA demonstrates comparable reliability to traditional testing methods.
- Patients generally receive CAPA favorably.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a computerized psychosexual assessment laboratory within a forensic facility.
- To generate uniform psychosocial data for improved diagnosis, personalized treatment, and outcome assessment.
- To evaluate the value of this laboratory in a sex offender treatment program.
Main Methods:
- Selection and programming of psychological tests for interactive administration.
- Implementation of testing procedures utilizing penile plethysmography with Tanner developmental stage-based stimuli.
- Development of a computer-assisted psychosocial assessment system to create a psychosocial history.
Main Results:
- A functional computerized psychosexual assessment laboratory was established.
- The system successfully produced psychosocial histories for residents.
- The laboratory's integration into the treatment program was assessed.
Conclusions:
- Computer-assisted psychosexual assessment is a viable tool in forensic settings.
- The developed laboratory provides valuable data for sex offender treatment.
- This approach supports individualized treatment planning and outcome evaluation.