Effects of Normalization on Self-Esteem and Loneliness in Juvenile Sex Offenders

Copyright 2010 by Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology (Vol. 15, No. 3/ISSN 1089-4136) Past research has established a link between low self-esteem and juvenile delinquency. Specifically with juvenile sex offenders (JSOs), research has shown that low self-esteem is linked to more serious sexual offenses (Smith, Wampler, Jones, & Reifman, 2005) as well as violent and nonviolent nonsexual recidivism (Worling & Curwen, 2000). It is therefore crucial to find strategies that increase the self-esteem of JSOs to avoid relapse. Therapeutic interventions have attempted to raise the self-esteem of juvenile delinquents in order to promote stronger peer relationships, mentally healthier individuals, and fewer offending behaviors. However, there is little research regarding the use of normalizing interventions to increase self-esteem in juvenile offenders and specifically in JSOs. I predicted that a normalizing intervention that emphasized increased knowledge of group norms would effectively promote higher selfesteem and decrease feelings of loneliness in JSOs. For clarity, in this paper the term juvenile offenders is used to indicate juveniles (ages 12-17 years) who committed an antisocial criminal offense and were adjudicated, whereas juvenile delinquents refers to juveniles who committed antisocial delinquent behaviors but were not adjudicated. The term JSOs refers to preteenagers and teenagers who were adjudicated of one or more sexual offenses. The index sexual offense is the sexual offense for which the JSO was adjudicated (although this offense may not be the only sexual or nonsexual offense the juvenile has committed). Sexoffense-specific therapy is the name commonly used for JSO therapy programs. Self-Esteem and Social Isolation in Juvenile Offenders According to Rosenberg (1965), self-esteem is a favorable or unfavorable assessment of oneself. Low self-esteem (or an unfavorable appraisal of oneself) is related to externalizing behaviors like aggression, antisocial attitudes, and delinquent acts in teenagers (Donnellan, Trzesniewski, Robins, Moffitt, & Caspi, 2005), as well as to poor peer and family relationships (e.g., Wells & Rankin, 1983). Many JSOs in treatment report problems of social isolation (or loneliness) from their peers (DiGiorgio-Miller, 1994). Indeed, Marshall et al. (2005) suggested that offenders’ self-perceived lack of skill and confidence in establishing social relationships may lead to offending behaviors in an attempt to achieve social goals (e.g., relatedness, support, intimacy). Smith et al. (2005) found high-risk JSOs scored lower in self-esteem and higher in social isolation than lower-risk JSOs. The authors used scores on risk factors (e.g., more serious offenses, behavior problems) to assign the risk of reoffending levels (high, medium, and low) in a sample of 161 male JSOs. They then surveyed the participants on measures of aggression, self-esteem, and social avoidance and distress, finding that high-risk JSOs had lower self-esteem, higher social avoidance, higher social discomfort, and higher aggression than lowand medium-risk JSOs. Smith et al. noted “high-risk offenders appear to be less socially skillful, avoiding social situations and experiencing discomfort when the situation is not avoidable. Their reluctance to Effects of Normalization on Self-Esteem and Loneliness in Juvenile Sex Offenders