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This article explores the relationship between dynamic risk factors and recidivism in child molesters. The researchers studied 495 men who completed an intensive, prison-based treatment program in New Zealand (the Kia Marama Special Treatment Unit based at Rolleston Prison, Christchurch). During the follow-up period (M=5.8 years), 10% of the men were reconvicted for a sexual offense. Prior to treatment a series of psychometric self-report tests were administered to the sample that assessed variables related to sexual attitudes and beliefs, emotional functioning, and interpersonal competency. Analysis of results from the 232 men who completed all 13 tests showed that individual differences in the tests could be described by four dimensions: Social Inadequacy, Sexual Interests, Anger/Hostility, and Pro-Offending Attitudes. The researchers found scores for each dimension were significantly correlated with sexual recidivism. Further statistical analyses confirmed that the Sexual Interests and Pro-Offending Attitudes scores, as well as an Overall Deviance score which combined the dimensions, provided additional validity for predicting recidivism. The authors conclude that psychometric self-reports can provide valid measures of dynamic risk factors, and that including such measures can improve risk prediction beyond that achieved by static factors only.

Sexual abuse : a journal of research and treatment, 2007, 19(4) : 347-367