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Juvenile sexual delinquents: contrasting child abusers with peer abusers
Author(s) -
Hendriks J.,
Bijleveld C.C.J.H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
criminal behaviour and mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1471-2857
pISSN - 0957-9664
DOI - 10.1002/cbm.591
Subject(s) - psychology , juvenile , neuroticism , juvenile delinquency , clinical psychology , psychological intervention , injury prevention , sexual abuse , suicide prevention , poison control , psychiatry , medicine , medical emergency , personality , social psychology , genetics , biology
Background There is growing concern regarding juvenile sex offenders, and concomitant interest in a more scientific database which could help direct management and treatment resources. Aims To investigate whether juveniles who sexually offend against children (or those at least five years younger than themselves) differ from those who sexually assault their peers or older victims. Method The study is based on data from psychological screenings conducted for the juvenile courts in the Netherlands. Results As hypothesized, juvenile child molesters scored higher on neuroticism, had experienced more social problems, and had been bullied more often at school than their peers who sexually assaulted same‐age or older victims. Child molesters also reported a more negative self‐image. When referred for screening, they were younger but had committed more sex offences, more often against males than females. Conclusions The results were suggestive of greater need for psychological interventions in the child molester group, although in both groups substantial minorities had had experience of early childhood deprivation or abuse. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.