Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify school-based predictors of delinquency among ju... more Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify school-based predictors of delinquency among juvenile sexual offenders and general delinquents. Schools play an important role in reducing problem behaviors among young people (Eklund & Klinteberg, 2006) and as hypothesized by social control theorists (Hirschi, 1969), a more positive schooling experience can directly reduce the risk of deviant behaviors. However, there is a dearth of research investigating factors associated with schooling experiences of juvenile sex offenders (the focus is often on behaviors other than sexual crimes). Juvenile sex offenders differ from non-sex offenders across a variety of individual, familial and environmental domains (van Wijk et al., 2006). Given this heterogeneity, a comparative study of the schooling experiences between juvenile sex offenders and delinquent youth is warranted. In this study, three significant aspects of a young person's schooling experiences are examined: school bonding, ed...
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test a proposed pathway from childhood trauma to sexuall... more Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test a proposed pathway from childhood trauma to sexually abusive behavior. Sexual offending and general delinquency has partly been explained by childhood victimization (Burton, Miller & Shill, 2002). Moreover, youthful sexual abusers not only commit nonsexual crimes (Brown & Burton, 2010), but they are also more likely than their counterparts to continue on a path of nonsexual criminality into adulthood (Bullens, van Wijk & Mali, 2006). Executive functioning is used to describe higher-order cognitive processes: processing new information, planning, memory, following-through on tasks, and impulse control. Deficits in executive functioning have explained some behaviors among sexual abusers and delinquents (McCann & Lussier, 2008), but have yet to be linked with trauma. Positive parental attachment, which is a well-established protective factor against negative behaviors in youth (e.g., Mortimer & Larson, 2002), is explored to determine whethe...
There are demonstrated links in the general population between developmental adversity, associate... more There are demonstrated links in the general population between developmental adversity, associated trauma symptoms, and executive functioning difficulties in children and youth. However, research on links among these indicators and their relationship to antisocial behavior more broadly in samples of youth who have sexually harmed is only beginning to emerge. Some research indicates that intermediary factors like sexual concerns may be critical in understanding this population. This study explored relationships between trauma symptoms, sexual concerns, executive functioning, and their relationship to non-sexual delinquency in a sample of 196 youth who committed sexual harm. Structural equation modeling revealed numerous direct and indirect effects on the path to delinquency and that executive
Despite robust research linking trauma events to the commission of sexual harm by youth, the majo... more Despite robust research linking trauma events to the commission of sexual harm by youth, the majority of victims do not become victimizers, imploring us to study potential interceding influences. Some research indicates that intermediary factors like attachment characteristics, trauma symptomatology, and executive functioning may be critical in understanding sexual harm committed by youth. This study explored relationships between trauma events, trauma symptoms, and attachment characteristics, and their relationship to executive functioning in a sample of 196 youth who committed sexual harm. Results revealed bivariate associations between trauma events, symptomatology, and maternal attachment characteristics. Structural equation modeling revealed numerous direct and indirect effects on the path to deficits in executive functioning, and that sexual abuse, above and beyond other forms of traumatic events, contributed to executive functioning deficits via trauma symptoms. The results are contextualized and implications are discussed.
Researchers have made great strides in identifying risk factors associated with the commission of... more Researchers have made great strides in identifying risk factors associated with the commission of sexual harm by youth. However, many of the risk factors associated with youth who sexually harm (YSH) are also associated with nonsexual delinquency, making it hard to create typologies of YSH to target prevention and treatment. To eliminate an overlap with nonsexually offending general delinquents, Brown (2019) used latent class analysis to identify four unique classes of youth based only on their sexual crime characteristics. A research implication of Brown's findings was to explore the relationship of the classes to characteristics associated with sexual crime by youth to identify targeted treatment implications and opportunities to prevent sexual crime. In this study, the authors used chi-square analyses and logistic regression to test the relationships of mental health, family factors, concurrent delinquency with the classes identified in Brown's (2019) study using the same sample (N = 573) used by Brown. Findings highlight the potential differing etiology and treatment needs of YSH according to their offense characteristics. Treatment implications and directions for future research are offered.
Attempts to identify typologies of youth who have committed sexual offenses have been challenged ... more Attempts to identify typologies of youth who have committed sexual offenses have been challenged by their overlapping characteristics with youth who have committed nonsexual crimes, as well as methodological limitations that make the results difficult to translate into direct practice. In the current study, a technical new way of identifying subtypes of these young people was proposed using latent class analysis, a person-centered approach that allows categorical subtypes to be revealed by the data rather than hypothesized differences based on individual factors. The indicators included in this analysis were sexual behaviors only, thereby eliminating any overlap with general delinquents. In a sample of 573 male youth between the ages of 11 and 20 (M = 16.75, SD = 1.72), four unique classes were identified. Research implications are offered.
The aim of this study was to empirically examine the theoretical model proposed by Grady, Levenso... more The aim of this study was to empirically examine the theoretical model proposed by Grady, Levenson, and Bolder used to explain the relationships between experiencing trauma, attachment styles, and risk factors associated with sexual offending. The specific risk factors tested were emotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation deficits. The research questions were as follows: (1) What specific childhood traumatic experiences (physical and sexual abuse and/or other domestic trauma events) are associated with anxious-ambivalent and anxious-avoidant attachments? (2) Are anxious-ambivalent and anxious-avoidant attachment styles differentially linked to dysregulation outcomes (emotional, behavioral and cognitive shift, and inhibitions)? (3) Do insecure attachment styles explain why childhood trauma is associated with dysregulation? and (4) Do these early life experiences contribute to sexual offending behavior? The sample included 200 male youth adjudicated for either a sexual or nonsexual crime and living in the community or a residential
Victims and Offenders: An International Journal of Evidenced-Based Research, Policy, and Practice., 2018
The purpose of this study was to test the relationship of helplessness and hopefulness to experie... more The purpose of this study was to test the relationship of helplessness and hopefulness to experienced trauma, as well to explore the role of these emotions to sexual and nonsexual criminal behaviors among 332 residential youth adjudicated for sexual crimes. All subtypes of trauma measured were positively correlated with helplessness, whereas hopelessness was not associated with sexual or physical abuse. Helplessness was associated with the severity of sexual crimes, as well as the commission of multiple nonsexual crimes. Hopelessness was not associated to any sexual crime characteristics and only associated with general delinquency and property damage. In the regression models, controlling for trauma, helplessness predicted sexual and nonsexual criminality, and hopelessness predicted nonsexual criminality. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
This study explores the association between student factors and delinquency by comparing two grou... more This study explores the association between student factors and delinquency by comparing two groups of adjudicated youth in six Midwestern residential facilities: 331 young men committed for a sexual offense, and 171 committed for a nonsexual offense. Statistically significant findings include juvenile sexual offenders exhibiting a greater number of delinquent behaviors and greater academic and social difficulties compared with their counterparts adjudicated for a nonsexual offense. Additionally , path analysis revealed that school experience was negatively associated with delinquency for both groups. For juvenile sexual offenders, academic difficulties were associated with delinquency through their school experience. Among general delinquents, delinquency was directly associated with social difficulties and school experience. Implications for interventions and future research are discussed.
Sex offenders are often neglected by psychiatrists due to a deficiency in training and a lack of ... more Sex offenders are often neglected by psychiatrists due to a deficiency in training and a lack of knowledge in the area of sexual offenders. Many sex offenders have a comorbid psychiatric illness, including paraphilic disorders. Research has established that sex offenders can be treated with evidence-based principles. Psychiatrists can serve a pivotal role in the evaluation and biological treatment of sex offenders. Together, psychiatrists can work toward primary prevention of sexual violence by learning the requisite skills to identify and treat risk factors of sexual abuse.
The endorsement of masculine beliefs has long been correlated to sexual and nonsexual violence in... more The endorsement of masculine beliefs has long been correlated to sexual and nonsexual violence in adult males, and more recently in male youth. However, associations with masculinity in these studies are often confusing insofar as masculinity is not a standalone construct but conflated into subtypes that describe traits commonly observed in personality disorders and psychopathy. In a sample of incarcerated male juvenile sexual abusers and general delinquents, traditional masculine beliefs were examined in absence of indicators for psychopathy and other antisocial traits. The sample was then subdivided into four, theoretically constructed, mutually exclusive groups based on violence type. Masculinity was measured in each of the four groups to assess group differences. As hypothesized, no group differences are observed. Further research is needed to both improve understanding of masculinity among antisocial youth and develop new indicators for predicting antisocial behavior.
This paper is the first study to use a multi-state sample to longitudinally explore the relations... more This paper is the first study to use a multi-state sample to longitudinally explore the relationship between remaining in foster care beyond age 18, behavioral health needs, and receipt of behavioral healthcare services. The study began with a sample of 732 older youth in foster care and followed them longitudinally for six years, after all had aged-out of care. Indicators of behavioral health and receipt of behavioral healthcare services were measured, as well as whether or not remaining in foster care after one's 18th birthday made a difference in receiving behavioral healthcare services. We found a high need for behavioral healthcare services in the years following their 18th birthdays and a significant drop-off in service use after exiting foster care. We also found a strong relationship between remaining in care after one's 18th birthday and receipt of behavioral healthcare services among those in need. Policy implications discussed highlight the possible role of Medicaid on young adults who have aged-out of foster care with behavioral healthcare service needs, and the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Among the treatment implications are the need for highly effective behavioral healthcare services for older youths in foster care and the need for receipt of ongoing services upon exiting foster care.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify school-based predictors of delinquency among ju... more Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify school-based predictors of delinquency among juvenile sexual offenders and general delinquents. Schools play an important role in reducing problem behaviors among young people (Eklund & Klinteberg, 2006) and as hypothesized by social control theorists (Hirschi, 1969), a more positive schooling experience can directly reduce the risk of deviant behaviors. However, there is a dearth of research investigating factors associated with schooling experiences of juvenile sex offenders (the focus is often on behaviors other than sexual crimes). Juvenile sex offenders differ from non-sex offenders across a variety of individual, familial and environmental domains (van Wijk et al., 2006). Given this heterogeneity, a comparative study of the schooling experiences between juvenile sex offenders and delinquent youth is warranted. In this study, three significant aspects of a young person's schooling experiences are examined: school bonding, ed...
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test a proposed pathway from childhood trauma to sexuall... more Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test a proposed pathway from childhood trauma to sexually abusive behavior. Sexual offending and general delinquency has partly been explained by childhood victimization (Burton, Miller & Shill, 2002). Moreover, youthful sexual abusers not only commit nonsexual crimes (Brown & Burton, 2010), but they are also more likely than their counterparts to continue on a path of nonsexual criminality into adulthood (Bullens, van Wijk & Mali, 2006). Executive functioning is used to describe higher-order cognitive processes: processing new information, planning, memory, following-through on tasks, and impulse control. Deficits in executive functioning have explained some behaviors among sexual abusers and delinquents (McCann & Lussier, 2008), but have yet to be linked with trauma. Positive parental attachment, which is a well-established protective factor against negative behaviors in youth (e.g., Mortimer & Larson, 2002), is explored to determine whethe...
There are demonstrated links in the general population between developmental adversity, associate... more There are demonstrated links in the general population between developmental adversity, associated trauma symptoms, and executive functioning difficulties in children and youth. However, research on links among these indicators and their relationship to antisocial behavior more broadly in samples of youth who have sexually harmed is only beginning to emerge. Some research indicates that intermediary factors like sexual concerns may be critical in understanding this population. This study explored relationships between trauma symptoms, sexual concerns, executive functioning, and their relationship to non-sexual delinquency in a sample of 196 youth who committed sexual harm. Structural equation modeling revealed numerous direct and indirect effects on the path to delinquency and that executive
Despite robust research linking trauma events to the commission of sexual harm by youth, the majo... more Despite robust research linking trauma events to the commission of sexual harm by youth, the majority of victims do not become victimizers, imploring us to study potential interceding influences. Some research indicates that intermediary factors like attachment characteristics, trauma symptomatology, and executive functioning may be critical in understanding sexual harm committed by youth. This study explored relationships between trauma events, trauma symptoms, and attachment characteristics, and their relationship to executive functioning in a sample of 196 youth who committed sexual harm. Results revealed bivariate associations between trauma events, symptomatology, and maternal attachment characteristics. Structural equation modeling revealed numerous direct and indirect effects on the path to deficits in executive functioning, and that sexual abuse, above and beyond other forms of traumatic events, contributed to executive functioning deficits via trauma symptoms. The results are contextualized and implications are discussed.
Researchers have made great strides in identifying risk factors associated with the commission of... more Researchers have made great strides in identifying risk factors associated with the commission of sexual harm by youth. However, many of the risk factors associated with youth who sexually harm (YSH) are also associated with nonsexual delinquency, making it hard to create typologies of YSH to target prevention and treatment. To eliminate an overlap with nonsexually offending general delinquents, Brown (2019) used latent class analysis to identify four unique classes of youth based only on their sexual crime characteristics. A research implication of Brown's findings was to explore the relationship of the classes to characteristics associated with sexual crime by youth to identify targeted treatment implications and opportunities to prevent sexual crime. In this study, the authors used chi-square analyses and logistic regression to test the relationships of mental health, family factors, concurrent delinquency with the classes identified in Brown's (2019) study using the same sample (N = 573) used by Brown. Findings highlight the potential differing etiology and treatment needs of YSH according to their offense characteristics. Treatment implications and directions for future research are offered.
Attempts to identify typologies of youth who have committed sexual offenses have been challenged ... more Attempts to identify typologies of youth who have committed sexual offenses have been challenged by their overlapping characteristics with youth who have committed nonsexual crimes, as well as methodological limitations that make the results difficult to translate into direct practice. In the current study, a technical new way of identifying subtypes of these young people was proposed using latent class analysis, a person-centered approach that allows categorical subtypes to be revealed by the data rather than hypothesized differences based on individual factors. The indicators included in this analysis were sexual behaviors only, thereby eliminating any overlap with general delinquents. In a sample of 573 male youth between the ages of 11 and 20 (M = 16.75, SD = 1.72), four unique classes were identified. Research implications are offered.
The aim of this study was to empirically examine the theoretical model proposed by Grady, Levenso... more The aim of this study was to empirically examine the theoretical model proposed by Grady, Levenson, and Bolder used to explain the relationships between experiencing trauma, attachment styles, and risk factors associated with sexual offending. The specific risk factors tested were emotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation deficits. The research questions were as follows: (1) What specific childhood traumatic experiences (physical and sexual abuse and/or other domestic trauma events) are associated with anxious-ambivalent and anxious-avoidant attachments? (2) Are anxious-ambivalent and anxious-avoidant attachment styles differentially linked to dysregulation outcomes (emotional, behavioral and cognitive shift, and inhibitions)? (3) Do insecure attachment styles explain why childhood trauma is associated with dysregulation? and (4) Do these early life experiences contribute to sexual offending behavior? The sample included 200 male youth adjudicated for either a sexual or nonsexual crime and living in the community or a residential
Victims and Offenders: An International Journal of Evidenced-Based Research, Policy, and Practice., 2018
The purpose of this study was to test the relationship of helplessness and hopefulness to experie... more The purpose of this study was to test the relationship of helplessness and hopefulness to experienced trauma, as well to explore the role of these emotions to sexual and nonsexual criminal behaviors among 332 residential youth adjudicated for sexual crimes. All subtypes of trauma measured were positively correlated with helplessness, whereas hopelessness was not associated with sexual or physical abuse. Helplessness was associated with the severity of sexual crimes, as well as the commission of multiple nonsexual crimes. Hopelessness was not associated to any sexual crime characteristics and only associated with general delinquency and property damage. In the regression models, controlling for trauma, helplessness predicted sexual and nonsexual criminality, and hopelessness predicted nonsexual criminality. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.
This study explores the association between student factors and delinquency by comparing two grou... more This study explores the association between student factors and delinquency by comparing two groups of adjudicated youth in six Midwestern residential facilities: 331 young men committed for a sexual offense, and 171 committed for a nonsexual offense. Statistically significant findings include juvenile sexual offenders exhibiting a greater number of delinquent behaviors and greater academic and social difficulties compared with their counterparts adjudicated for a nonsexual offense. Additionally , path analysis revealed that school experience was negatively associated with delinquency for both groups. For juvenile sexual offenders, academic difficulties were associated with delinquency through their school experience. Among general delinquents, delinquency was directly associated with social difficulties and school experience. Implications for interventions and future research are discussed.
Sex offenders are often neglected by psychiatrists due to a deficiency in training and a lack of ... more Sex offenders are often neglected by psychiatrists due to a deficiency in training and a lack of knowledge in the area of sexual offenders. Many sex offenders have a comorbid psychiatric illness, including paraphilic disorders. Research has established that sex offenders can be treated with evidence-based principles. Psychiatrists can serve a pivotal role in the evaluation and biological treatment of sex offenders. Together, psychiatrists can work toward primary prevention of sexual violence by learning the requisite skills to identify and treat risk factors of sexual abuse.
The endorsement of masculine beliefs has long been correlated to sexual and nonsexual violence in... more The endorsement of masculine beliefs has long been correlated to sexual and nonsexual violence in adult males, and more recently in male youth. However, associations with masculinity in these studies are often confusing insofar as masculinity is not a standalone construct but conflated into subtypes that describe traits commonly observed in personality disorders and psychopathy. In a sample of incarcerated male juvenile sexual abusers and general delinquents, traditional masculine beliefs were examined in absence of indicators for psychopathy and other antisocial traits. The sample was then subdivided into four, theoretically constructed, mutually exclusive groups based on violence type. Masculinity was measured in each of the four groups to assess group differences. As hypothesized, no group differences are observed. Further research is needed to both improve understanding of masculinity among antisocial youth and develop new indicators for predicting antisocial behavior.
This paper is the first study to use a multi-state sample to longitudinally explore the relations... more This paper is the first study to use a multi-state sample to longitudinally explore the relationship between remaining in foster care beyond age 18, behavioral health needs, and receipt of behavioral healthcare services. The study began with a sample of 732 older youth in foster care and followed them longitudinally for six years, after all had aged-out of care. Indicators of behavioral health and receipt of behavioral healthcare services were measured, as well as whether or not remaining in foster care after one's 18th birthday made a difference in receiving behavioral healthcare services. We found a high need for behavioral healthcare services in the years following their 18th birthdays and a significant drop-off in service use after exiting foster care. We also found a strong relationship between remaining in care after one's 18th birthday and receipt of behavioral healthcare services among those in need. Policy implications discussed highlight the possible role of Medicaid on young adults who have aged-out of foster care with behavioral healthcare service needs, and the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Among the treatment implications are the need for highly effective behavioral healthcare services for older youths in foster care and the need for receipt of ongoing services upon exiting foster care.
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in foster care beyond age 18, behavioral health needs, and receipt of behavioral healthcare services.
The study began with a sample of 732 older youth in foster care and followed them longitudinally for six
years, after all had aged-out of care. Indicators of behavioral health and receipt of behavioral healthcare services
were measured, as well as whether or not remaining in foster care after one's 18th birthday made a difference in
receiving behavioral healthcare services. We found a high need for behavioral healthcare services in the years following
their 18th birthdays and a significant drop-off in service use after exiting foster care. We also found a
strong relationship between remaining in care after one's 18th birthday and receipt of behavioral healthcare services
among those in need. Policy implications discussed highlight the possible role of Medicaid on young adults
who have aged-out of foster care with behavioral healthcare service needs, and the potential impact of
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Among the treatment implications are the need for highly effective
behavioral healthcare services for older youths in foster care and the need for receipt of ongoing services
upon exiting foster care.
in foster care beyond age 18, behavioral health needs, and receipt of behavioral healthcare services.
The study began with a sample of 732 older youth in foster care and followed them longitudinally for six
years, after all had aged-out of care. Indicators of behavioral health and receipt of behavioral healthcare services
were measured, as well as whether or not remaining in foster care after one's 18th birthday made a difference in
receiving behavioral healthcare services. We found a high need for behavioral healthcare services in the years following
their 18th birthdays and a significant drop-off in service use after exiting foster care. We also found a
strong relationship between remaining in care after one's 18th birthday and receipt of behavioral healthcare services
among those in need. Policy implications discussed highlight the possible role of Medicaid on young adults
who have aged-out of foster care with behavioral healthcare service needs, and the potential impact of
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Among the treatment implications are the need for highly effective
behavioral healthcare services for older youths in foster care and the need for receipt of ongoing services
upon exiting foster care.