bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Aspects of Social Competence in Sexual Offenders
Authors: Marshall W.L. , Barbaree H.E. , Fernandez Yolanda Maria
Published: June 2008

Outpatient rapists and child molesters were compared with a socioeconomically similar group of nonoffenders and with a group of university students on various measures of social functioning and in terms of their judgments about actors displaying under-, over-, and appropriately assertive behavior. The child molesters did not differ from the matched community group, with both groups reporting social anxiety, underassertiveness, and low self-esteem These two groups also judged the unassertive actor to be the most appropriate of the three actors. The rapists thought the overassertive actor was the most appropriate and they also appeared more confident, more assertive, and less anxious than the child molesters. The university students were more socially appropriate, more confident, and less anxious than the other groups, and they made judgments about the actors that were consistent with prosocial expectations. Evidently the model of social functioning that these sexual offenders accepted differed from prosocial expectations, and this, as well as their actual functioning, needs to be addressed in research and treatment.
Predictive Value of the Card/Farrall Stimuli in Discriminating Between Gynephilic and Pedophilic Sexual Offenders
Authors: Card Robert D. , Dibble Alan
Published: June 2008

The predictive value of the Card/Farrall Penile Plethysmograph Audio-Visual Stimulus Materials (Card/Farrall Stimuli3 was tested against three variables derived from a study by Freund of historical differences between gynephiles and pedophiles. Fifty-two sexual offender records were chosen at random from the files of a community-based clinic. Subjects were divided into gynephile and pedophile classifications on both the historical and the plethysmographic measures. A chi-square statistical evaluation of the correspondence between the historical and the plethysmographic measures discriminating between gynephiles and pedophiles demonstrated a level of correspondence between the two at the 0.01 level of confidence. Some theoretical issues in the development and use of plethysmographic stimulus materials are discussed.
Personality Characteristics of Adolescent Sexual Offenders: A Pilot Study
Authors: Carpenter Dennis R. , Peed Steven F. , Eastman Brenda
Published: June 2008

This study compared the personality characteristics of adolescent sexual offenders by examining the extent, if any, to which personality differences exist between adolescents who offend against their peers and adolescents who offend against young children. The sample consisted of 36 adolescent offenders (16 peer offenders and 20 child offenders) committed to Virginia's Department of Youth and Family Services. Subjects were administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) and compared on six of its subscales. The results suggest that adolescent child offenders are more schizoid, dependent, and avoidant than adolescent peer offenders. Such results may be helpful in designing treatment programs for these subtypes of adolescent sexual offenders.
Building Bridges: Working Together to Understand and Prevent Sexual Abuse
Authors: Knopp Fay Honey
Published: June 2008

Ours is an evolving discipline; yet from time to time, we need to look back briefly so we can become aware and appreciative of our histories as part of this unique and powerful social movement within the mental health field. We also need to look forward and plan with ATSA how we shall move ahead into the 21st century with new vision, careful strategy, superb resources and training, increased multiculturalism, refined research and its improved dissemination, increased professionalism, and, of equal or greater importance, the continuing vitality, creativity, and the unquenchable energy and spirit of our clinicians and scientists that have brought us this far along the path today.

We are a unique social movement unlike any other in the mental health field. We are a social change movement by the very nature of our work. Based on what we now know, we are entering a new and exciting phase of sexual assault prevention possibilities, but only with continued and significant societal attitude and systems change will we garner the required support and resources to continue to move toward building a safer society free of sexual assault. And most importantly, as in the past, we are the people who need to continue to come together to do that work. If we do not do it, it will not be done.
Self-Esteem and Parental Attachments in Child Molesters
Authors: Marshall William L. , Mazzucco Agnes
Published: June 2008

We evaluated self-esteem and various possible indices of the quality of the subjects' parental attachments in both child molesters (n = 24) and nonoffenders (n = 23). Of the various measures employed, only on the Social Self-Esteem Inventory and the Childhood Sexual Abuse Scale did we find significant group differences. The child molesters had lower self-esteem and were more likely to report childhood sexual abuse than were the nonoffenders. Maternal rejection scores were the best predictors of self-esteem. The results are taken to support partially our theory of the etiology of child molestation and are discussed in terms of their relevance for treatment.
Evolutionary Perspectives on Sexual Offending
Authors: Quinsey Vernon L. , Lalumière Martin L.
Published: June 2008

Evolutionary psychology has been successful in explaining diverse phenomena, such as the relative rarity with which people commit crimes against their biological relatives and the observed differences between males and females in romantic and sexual interest. According to an evolutionary view, the current sexual motivations of males and females were created in ancestral environments through their relationship with reproductive success. Sexual offending may arise in the context of a male sexual psychology that has been designed to maximize reproductive success by varying the proportion of mating effort and parental investment expended according to circumstances. Various kinds of sexual offending appear to be particular manifestations of this male sexual psychology either as modified by the offender's ontogenetic history or as pathology caused by some aspect of the normal sexual preference mechanism gone awry.
Sexual Abuse Histories of Sexual Offenders
Authors: Dhawan Sonia , Marshall W.L.
Published: June 2008

A comparison of sexual abuse histories of sexual offender and nonsexual offender inmates was undertaken. Sixty-five male subjects were interviewed and given questionnaires regarding their own sexual abuse histories and their family backgrounds. Eighteen of 29 rapists (62%), 8 of 16 child molesters (50%), and 4 of 20 nonsexual offender inmates (20%) were classified as having been sexually abused, with sexual offenders being more likely to report having been abused. A history of sexual abuse appears to be an important factor in the backgrounds of sexual offenders and it was found to be associated with other aspects of a disturbed family background.
Assessing the Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters and Rapists: Development and Validation of the MOLEST and RAPE Scales
Authors: Bumby Kurt M.
Published: June 2008

The cognitive distortions of sexual offenders are considered to be influential in the etiology and maintenance of deviant sexual behavior and are commonly accepted as valid predictors of treatment potential and success, despite the lack of systematic research to support these assumptions. Contributing to this gap in the research is the shortage of psychometrically sound assessment techniques to measure these cognitive distortions. The present paper describes the development and validation of two distinct measures, the MOLEST and RAPE Scales, designed to respectively assess the cognitive distortions of child molesters and rapists. Results indicate that the MOLEST and RAPE Scales are promising clinical and research measures, demonstrating strong internal consistency and reliability, convergent and discriminative validity, freedom from a socially desirable response bias, and utility in assessing the efficacy of a cognitive restructuring treatment component. Furthermore, sexual offenders' cognitive distortions as assessed by the MOLEST and RAPE Scales were found to be related to the number of victims and duration of sexually assaultive behavior.
Social Cognition and Sexual Offending: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Johnston Lucy , Ward Tony
Published: June 2008

Clinicians and researchers have noted the important role of maladaptive beliefs and distorted thinking in facilitating or justifying sexual offenses. There have been a number of attempts to describe the nature of these beliefs and to develop ways of measuring them but in the absence of any integrating theory. It is our belief that an understanding of the cognitive processes underlying the initiation, maintenance, and justification of sexual offending is a vital prerequisite to the development of successful treatment programs. The present paper proposes the use of a social cognition framework in considering cognitive processes that may be important contributing factors in the propensity of some men to commit sexual offenses. Pertinent research in the social cognition domain, covering information processing, mental control, and the impact of affective and motivational factors on cognitive processes, is described and related to the sexual offending literature. Implications for clinical practice and suggestions for future research are highlighted.
Community Notification: Neither a Panacea nor a Calamity
Authors: Berliner Lucy
Published: June 2008

Community notification of the release of sex offenders has provoked opposition from offender treatment providers who fear that it does not enhance community safety and is a short-sighted response to the problem of sex offending. Many of the arguments opposing community notification misunderstand its role, are based on speculation and might jeopardize the justifications for treatment alternatives. Sex offender treatment providers take risks when they denigrate or oppose the wishes of the community.
Correlates of College Women's Self-Reports of Heterosexual Aggression
Authors: Anderson Peter B.
Published: June 2008

Traditional Westem social and sexual scripts have discouraged women from expressing sexual interest or initiating sexual behaviors. For the present study, 212 women attending sexuality classes in the New York/New Jersey area volunteered anonymously to complete a questionnaire that measured demographics, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors. The instrument was designed to identify predictors of the respondents' sexually aggressive behaviors toward men. Sexual aggression, in this instance, is defined as initiating sexual contact (kissing, fondling, or intercourse) by using sexual coercion (e.g., threatening to end a relationship, verbal pressure, or lying), sexual abuse (e.g., sex with a minor by an adult at least 5 years older than the minor, by inducing intoxication, or by using a position of power or authority), or physically forced sex (i.e., by the threat of physical force, actual physical force, or the use of a weapon). Following tests for the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, phi coefficients, multiple regression, and chi-square analysis were completed and indicated that both the experience of past sexual abuse and the attitudinal subscale of adversarial beliefs about sexual relationships were independently related to women's heterosexual aggression. Social leaming theory has been used to explain the development of aggressive attitudes and behaviors. The contributions of adversarial beliefs and past sexual abuse to heterosexual aggression among this sample of college women are discussed in relation to the social construction of gender and two specific aspects of social leaming theory.
Evaluating the Contribution of Relapse Prevention Theory to the Treatment of Sexual Offenders1
Authors: Hanson R. Karl
Published: June 2008

In the last 10 years, relapse prevention (RP) has been adopted as the most popular framework for the treatment of sexual offenders. Although RP is conceptually similar to other forms of cognitive/behavior therapy, it has made an important contribution by focusing therapists' attention on the problem of long-term recidivism. In RP, posttreatment behavioral deterioration is not considered evidence that sexual offenders are untreatable; instead, lapses are considered as expected and workable problems. There are certain difficulties, however, with the application of RP to the treatment of sexual offenders. In some cases, RP has been interpreted so generally that it has had little real influence on preexisting practices. As well, it is not clear how some of the most distinctive concepts of RP (e.g., lapse/relapse, abstinence violation effect) should be applied to sexual offenders. Special efforts may also be required to convince sexual offenders that they are at risk before they are able to benefit from RP interventions.
Utility of Relapse Prevention in Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Authors: Pithers William D. , Gray Alison S.
Published: June 2008

While the number of relapse prevention (RP) programs has expanded from just two in 1985 to currently being the most widely used intervention approach, Marlatt has suggested that with the population the model was originally developed for, there is no evidence for its superiority compared to other approaches. However the sex offender adaptation of RP has evolved into a multifaceted intervention that does not simply enhance self-management and then rely on good intentions. The model can rationally structure treatment components, involve the community in ongoing supervision, and assist an offender to improve his self-regulation. Finally, recent emphasis has been placed on increasing empathy for sexual abuse survivors prior to the RP component in order to enhance an offender's motivation to acquire and use the self-management techniques.
Relapse Prevention as a Supervision Strategy for Sex Offenders1
Authors: Cumming Georgia F. , Buell Maureen M.
Published: June 2008

Relapse prevention as a supervision strategy for sex offenders is discussed. In the authors' experience, risk factors associated with the abusive acts of sex offenders differ from those of the general criminal population. A review of the information essential to effective probation or parole case planning is provided. Specific probation conditions relevant to sex offenders are suggested Stress is placed on the importance of developing a community-based, collateral network of individuals who might assess the sex offender's self-management and su pervision. An alternative form of community notification, which places responsibility on the offender to inform selected members of his daily life, is discussed.
Relapse Prevention or Harm Reduction?
Authors: Laws D.R.
Published: June 2008

This paper argues that the notion of harm reduction can provide a more useful framework for the management of sex offenders. In this model, any reduction in the frequency or intensity of sexual offending is construed as positive. The zero-tolerance position, implicit in the relapse prevention model, has been a conspicuous failure in areas such as drug addiction and alcoholism. One of the major limitations is the equating of relapse with treatment failure. Moreover, managing sex offenders, in the sense of striving to limit socially undesirable behaviors, is a perfectly legitimate aim within the goal of making society safer.
Relationships Between Affective Components and Sexual Behaviors in Sexual Aggressors
Authors: Proulx Jean , McKibben André , Lusignan Richard
Published: June 2008

The aim of the current study was to verify whether relationships exist in sexual aggressors between affective components (moods and emotions following conflicts) and sexual behaviors (fantasies and masturbatoiy activities during such fantasies). We therefore developed the "Fantasy Report," a self-assessment method for recording affective components and sexual behaviors. Nineteen rapists, 12 heterosexual pedophiles, and 8 homosexual pedophiles filled out the Fantasy Report every 2 days for 2 months. In rapists and heterosexual pedophiles, negative moods and conflicts coincided with overwhelming deviant sexual fantasies and increased masturbatory activities during such fantasies. For the homosexual pedophiles, the data revealed a significant relationship only between affective components and deviant sexual fantasies. The emotions most frequently reported were anger, loneliness, and humiliation by the rapists, loneliness and humiliation by the heterosexual pedophiles, and loneliness by the homosexual pedophiles. These data are discussed on the basis of the Relapse Prevention ModeL
Mediating Factors in the Developrraent of Psychopathology in Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Authors: Steel Jennifer L. , Wilson Greg , Cross Herb , Whipple James
Published: June 2008

The effects of sexual abuse and victim-offender characteristics have been studied extensively in relation to short- and long-term psychological consequences. However, few studies have focused on mediating factors in the development of psychological sequelae associated with sexual abuse. Three hundred seventy-nine students at Washington State University were recruited from psychology courses and administered a battery of assessments. These assessments included a modified version of Groth's Sexual Victimization questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Results revealed that 115 subjects (30%) reported at least one level of sexual abuse before the age of 18 years. Significant differences on the main effect of abuse were found between abused and nonabused subjects on selected validity, clinical, and research scales of the MMPI. When family dysfunction was covaried, no differences were found between abused and nonabused subjects on the main effect of abuse, suggesting that family dysfunction did not account for differences between groups. In addition, a main effect of psychopathology was found between victims who reported high and those who reported lower levels of psychopathology. Differences between subjects with a history of abuse and those with no history of abuse were found on the confrontive coping, escape-avoidance, self-controlling, and distancing scales. Finally, significant differences on the main effect of abuse were found between victims who had experienced more frequent abuse and who were more familiar to the offender and victims who were less frequently abused and less familiar to the offender. Differences were found on several clinical and research scales of the MMPI and on the self-control, accepting responsibility, and escape-avoidance scales of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The victims who were more frequently abused and familiar with the offender had elevated scores when compared to other vietims. Mediating factors, such as coping, seemed to play some role in the long-term effects of sexual abuse. Recommendations for future research in the area of other possible mediating factors and longitudinal research are suggested.
Static and Dynamic Predictors of Recidivism in Sexual Aggressors
Authors: Proulx Jean , Pellerin Bruno , Paradis Yves , McKibben André , Aubut Jocelyn , Ouimet Marc
Published: June 2008

The aim of this study was to vefify whether static factors (criminal history, age, relationship status) and dynamic factors (deviance index based on phallometric data, score of psychometric testing) permit prediction of recidivism in sexual aggressors. Three types of recidivism (sexual, violent, criminal) were determined in 113 rapists and in 269 child molesters over an average follow-up of 64.5 months. The sexual reconviction rate was 21.2% in rapists and 13% in child molesters. Reconvicted rapists were younger and had more previous convictions than those who were not reconvicted, Compared with those who did not reoffend, the child molesters who were reconvicted for a sexual offense had higher pedophilic indices, had more previous sexual charges, were younger, more frequently had male victims, had more frequently extrafamilial victims, and a higher percentage of them were living alone. Psychometric data did not predict recidivism in either rapists or child molesters.
Comparisons of Daily Stress, Coping, Problem Behavior, and Cognitive Distortions in Adolescent Sexual Offenders and Conduct-Disordered Youth
Authors: Hastings Teri , Anderson Stephen J. , Hemphill Phillip
Published: June 2008

Adolescent sexual offenders (ASOs) were compared with conduct-disordered youth (CDs) and control adolescents (CAs) on measures of stress, coping, problem behavior, and cognitive distortions. CDs scored higher than ASOs on socialized aggression, aggressive coping, avoidance coping, and coping by engaging in sexual behavior. Measures of coping and problem behaviors successfully classified approximately 80% of ASOs and CDs. ASOs and CDs were similar to each other and higher than CAs on negative automatic thoughts, coping by seeking diversions and being with friends, and problem behaviors including hyperactivity, anxiety, and conduct disorder. Reports of daily stress were similar for all groups, suggesting that clinical groups coped less adequately despite similar stressors.
Proof Positive: Pornography in a Day-Care Center
Authors: Abramson Paul R. , Cloud Monique Y. , Keese Robert , Girardi John A.
Published: June 2008

While disclosures about pornography often surface in sexual abuse investigations at day-care centers, the pornography itself rarely materializes. Thus, the validity of such allegations is minimized, along with victim credibility. Fortunately, however, not every attempt to recover child pornography at a day-care center has been futile. We present herein a strikingly well-documented case (Alicia's Preschool) in which the pornography (over 3000 slides) was recovered, the defendant was tried and convicted, and the victims were successful in a civil lawsuit. The data for this project were drawn from 24,000 pages of archival records, including the extant files of Alicia's Preschool, the police records, the pornographic slides, the criminal trial transcript, the psychiatric evaluations, the civil lawsuit documents, and expert depositions. The psychological and legal ramifications of this case are also elaborated
Juvenile Female Sexual Offenders: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Issues
Authors: Mathews Ruth , Hunter John A. , Vuz Jacqueline
Published: June 2008

The phenomenon of juvenile female sexual offending was explored through the study of 67 youths who had been referred for either community-based or residential treatment following a documented history of sexual perpetration. These youths were compared to a group of 70 juvenile male sexual offenders across three parameters: developmental and psychiatric characteristics, history of maltreatment, and sexual perpetration characteristics. Relative to the juvenile males, the histories of the studied females reflected even more extensive and pervasive childhood maltreatment, with many of the youths exposed to the modeling of interpersonal aggression by females as well as males. The majority of these juvenile female sexual offenders demonstrated repetitive patterns of sexual offending with multiple victims, suggesting psychosexual disturbances equivalent in severity to the comparison group of males. The authors discuss typological impressions of this clinical population and their special treatment needs.
Children with Sexual Behavior Problems and Their Caregivers: Demographics, Functioning, and Clinical Patterns
Authors: Gray Alison , Busconi Aida , Houchens Paul , Pithers William D.
Published: June 2008

This article is the first report from a 5-year demonstration project examining the comparative efficacy of specialized and traditional treatments with children who have exhibited sexual behavior problems. Baseline data concerning the demographics, psychological adjustment, and victimization and perpetration histories of 72 6 to 12-year-old children who have engaged in sexual misbehavior are reported in this article. Information regarding the caregivers and extended families of these children is also presented. The data clearly demonstrate that families of children with sexual behavior problems are marked by an array of characteristics indicative of parental and familial distress, including high rates of (1) violence between parents; (2) sexual victimization and perpetration with the extended family; (3) physical abuse of the children who have exhibited sexual behavior problems; (4) children who have witnessed violence between their parents; (5) parental arrest; (6) denial of responsibility for perpetration of sexual abuse by members of the extended family; (7) poverty; (8) special educational services; (9) prior therapy for children; and (10) clinical scores on behavioral rating instruments. In particular, several significant differences emerged between younger children (6-9 years) and older children (10-12). Younger children had (1) been sexually and physically abused at an earlier age; (2) been more likely to have witnessed physical violence between parents; (3) performed problematic sexual behaviors at an earlier age; (4) a higher annual rate of problematic sexual behaviors; (5) had a higher percentage of hands-on sexual behaviors; and (6) had higher scores on measures indicative of sexual behavior problems (e.g., Child Sexual Behavior Inventory, Child Behavior Checklist - Sexual Problems Subscale). Based on these data, treatment recommendations are made for families containing children with sexual behavior problems. Given the extensive data suggesting parental characteristics that could serve as mediating variables in the sexual behavior problems of their children, effective intervention requires the involvement of the children's caregivers. The comparative efficacy of specialized and traditional treatments for these families will be reported in subsequent articles.
Arousal Reduction in Sexual Offenders: A Review of Antiandrogen Interventions
Authors: Prentky Robert A.
Published: June 2008

The present review surveys the use of antiandrogen treatment to reduce sexual drive in men at risk for sexual offending. After briefly reviewing castration, the author traces the history of the use of medications to reduce sexual drive, focusing on the antiandrogens. Controversy surrounding their use and recent altematives are mentioned, with an emphasis on legal and ethical issues. One strong conclusion drawn is that antiandrogen medications should never be used as exclusive treatment for paraphilic and aggressive sexual behaviors.
Sexual Deviance and Number of Older Brothers Among Sexual Offenders
Authors: Lalumière Martin L. , Harris Grant T. , Quinsey Vernon L. , Rice Marnie E.
Published: June 2008

A number of studies have shown that the probability that a man is homosexual increases with the number of older brothers (but not sisters) born to his mother. This older brother effect suggests that a progressive maternal immunosensitization process is involved in producing homosexual preferences. A recent demonstration of the older brother effect in homosexual pedophilia raises the question of whether it is involved in other anomalous sexual preferences as well. In the present study, phallometric data were gathered from 29 child molesters, 38 rapists, and 11 individuals who had offended against both children and adults. In all groups, a phallometric index of sexual deviance (a relative preference for children or for coercive sex) was positively correlated with the offenders' number of older brothers (but not sisters). These results suggest that the matemal immunosensitization hypothesis may explain some variations in male sexual preferences.
The Credibility of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: Perpetrator Gender and Subject Occupational Status
Authors: O'Donohue William , Smith Victoria , Schewe Paul
Published: June 2008

This study investigated the extent to which the alleged perpetrator's gender and the subject's mandated reporter status and acquaintanceship with sexual abuse affect judgments of the credibility of children's reports that they have been sexually abused. Eighty-one educators and 104 undergraduates read a brief vignette in which a child alleged that she had been sexually abused and the accused denied the allegation. Results revealed that males and females found the child equally credible, the allegations involving male perpetrators were believed more than allegations involving females, and that educators believed the allegations less than undergraduates. There was a significant interaction between gender of subject and gender of perpetrator that was not consistent with a hypothesized gender sympathy effect. No relationship between acquaintanceship with sexual abuse and credibility ratings was found.
Empathy, Self-Esteem, and the Adolescent Sexual Offender
Authors: Monto Martin , Zgourides George , Harris Richard
Published: June 2008

Though empathy training is routinely utilized in the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders, there has been little research to support the link between a lack of empathy and sexual offending. Alternatively, self-esteem building is not as frequently incorporated into treatment. This paper reports our exploration of these two variables as predictors of sexual offense. Offenders' (N = 84) scores on a general measure of empathy were no lower than the scores of nonoffenders (N = 113), although their self-esteem scores were significantly lower. Correlation and regression analyses of empathy and self-esteem with relevant background variables tended to support our findings and the validity of our measures. Ambiguities in the conceptualization of empathy may retard our understanding of its usefulness as a treatment and its power as a predictor of sexual offense. Although limitations in study design point to the need for additional sophisticated research, low self-esteem may be a contributor to adolescent sexual offending and may serve as a target for treatment of these youthful offenders.
A Self-Regulation Model of the Sexual Offense Process
Authors: Ward Tony , Hudson Stephen M. , Keenan Thomas
Published: June 2008

Models of the offense chain or relapse process provide a description of the cognitive, behavioral, motivational, and contextual factors associated with a sexual offense. In a sense these micromodels represent the touchstone of more general theories of sexual offending and serve to identify possible clinical phenomena that subsequent theory sets out to explain. In this paper we present a self-regulatory model of the offense process that we suggest can integrate existing theoretical work in the area. We first briefly comment on and critique a number of influential models of the sexual offense chain, then review the literature on the self-regulation of behavior. Following this we formulate a self-regulatory model of the offense process based on the idea that there are three core offense pathways: underregulation, misregulation, and intact regulation. We then briefly discuss the model's theoretical and clinical implications.
Treatment May Change Risk Prediction for Sexual Offenders
Authors: Studer Lea H. , Reddon John R.
Published: June 2008

The best predictor of sexual offense recidivism is believed to be past sexual offending. However, clinical observations of treated individuals often contradict this view. Consequently, this relationship was evaluated, using a minimum follow-up period of 18 months. The samples were adult men and consisted of 127 treatment noncompleters who terminated treatment because of inadequate motivation/unacceptable behavior, legal transfer, or by request and 150 treatment completers who underwent a minimum of 6 months of 32-35 hours per week of therapy. Sexual offense conviction recidivism and prior sexual offense convictions were significantly related in noncompleters (r = .31, p < .05) but were not significantly related in completers (r = .03, p > .05). These two correlations differed significantly (two-tailed p < .05). There was no difference (p > .05) in the average number of prior sexual offense convictions between completers and noncompleters. The findings are supportive of treatment interventions, although they question the validity of prior sexual offenses in treated offenders for release decisions and/or risk prediction.
Factors Associated with Denial in a Sample of Alleged Adult Sexual Offenders
Authors: Baldwin Kevin , Roys Deloris Tyler
Published: June 2008

This study examined the relationship between denial and a number of demographic, adjudication, and personality variables in a sample of 114 sexual offenders against children. Subjects were assessed using the MMPI, the MSI-2, and other measures of sexual interest. Deniers displayed a fake-good style of responding and demonstrated a greater degree of defensiveness than admitters. Deniers also endorsed less pathology on the MMPI clinical scales. These differences held after controlling for IQ and degree of defensiveness, suggesting that deniers approached the assessment situation in a different manner than admitters. Deniers were younger and scored lower on intelligence tests than admitters. A logistic regression predicting admitting status and employing as independent variables two MMPI special scales and a stimulus category from the card sort resulted in an overall correct prediction rate of 73%. Implications for future research with this population are provided.
Common Questions Regarding the Use of Phallometric Testing with Sexual Offenders
Authors: Lalumière Martin L. , Harris Grant T.
Published: June 2008

Research on phallometric assessment has accumulated in recent years. This research can inform and enhance the use of phallometric measures of sexual preferences among sexual offenders. In this short essay we suggest empirical answers to common clinical questions regarding the application of this technology.
Pubertal Age in Homosexual and Heterosexual Sexual Offenders Against Children, Pubescents, and Adults
Authors: Blanchard Ray , Dickey Robert
Published: June 2008

Previous studies have shown that homosexual men erotically attracted to physically mature partners (androphiles) reach puberty earlier, on average, than comparable heterosexual men. This study investigated whether the same early onset of puberty is observed in homosexual men attracted to children (pedophiles) or to pubescents (hebephiles). Subjects were 721 white, male, convicted sexual offenders, originally part of a large-scale study of sexual offending. Homosexual offenders against adults reached puberty earlier than heterosexual offenders against adults, and homosexual offenders against pubescents reached puberty earlier than heterosexual offenders against pubescents. In contrast, there was no difference between the homosexual and the heterosexual offenders against children on this variable. These results suggest that homosexual hebephilia has more etiological factors in common with androphilia than does homosexual pedophilia.
Phallometric Nonresponding in Sexual Offenders
Authors: Looman Jan , Abracen Jeffrey , Maillet Greg , DiFazio R.
Published: June 2008

Factors related to phallometric nonresponding in sexual offenders were investigated. Scores on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist—Revised, the Crowne—Marlowe Social Desirability Scale, the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding, and the Multi-Phasic Sex Inventory were used as measures of psychological factors which may influence the level of responding obtained during presentations of audio and visual sexual stimuli. Phallometric measures employed were age/gender and female violence assessments. Significant differences were obtained between responders and nonresponders on several measures. Specifically, low responders to the female violence assessment had significantly higher scores on the Crowne-Marlowe Social Desirability Scale and the Impression Management subscale of the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding scale. Of special interest was the finding that approximately 75% of the participants failed to respond above 20% of full erection to either of the assessment methods.
Emancipating Assessment: Assessment Assumptions and Critical Alternatives in an Experience-based Programme
Authors: Elliott Carole
Published: June 2008

This article aims to make a contribution to management education by proposing a critical alternative to assessment on experience-based programmes that has emerged from a study of an MBA programme based on action learning principles. The article discusses the programme's learning and assessment design and students' responses to their learning experience. It analyses elements forming the MBA design, including Revans' action learning model and Kolb's learning cycle, as well as its assessment procedures, to put into context a discussion of learners' responses to these pedagogies. The article concludes by suggesting how a critical perspective might be introduced through the adaptation of collaborative assessment methods, currently more common in adult and professional education. This would lead to a repositioning of the student's experience in which the experience of the MBA itself becomes a source for knowledge. The article ends with the suggestion that `being assessed' could form the basis of an experientially based examination of a practice of institutional power.
Managers' Learning in a UK Local Authority: The Political Context of an In-house MBA
Authors: Thursfield Denise
Published: June 2008

Public sector learning is often described as individualistic and operational. This article investigates an in-house MBA that was created explicitly to promote collective learning among managers in a UK local authority. The MBA was envisaged as an innovative programme and incorporated situated learning theory and reflective practice into its teaching and learning strategy. It failed, however, to achieve its aim and managers' learning remained focused on individual competencies. This is because the political context of a UK local authority is an impediment to collective learning. In particular, new public management initiatives such as `Best Value' and `Public Private Partnership' prevented collaboration between individual managers and departments.
Field Experiments on Thermal Comfort Requirements for Campus Dormitories in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Ming-Jen , Hwang Ruey-Lung , Lin Tzu-Ping
Published: June 2008

A long-term field experiment project has been launched to investigate thermal comfort requirements for classrooms, dormitories and outdoor spaces of universities in Taiwan. This study presents the research findings achieved in Phase II of this research project. Data for the experimental survey are gathered from two student dormitories of two universities in Central Taiwan, one of which is naturally ventilated and the other is air-conditioned. Results obtained from logistic regression analysis reveal that, despite different thermal conditions in the two dormitories, all students report similar neutral temperature, preferred temperature and upper limit of thermal acceptability. The operative temperatures of thermal neutrality and thermal preference for student dormitories fell at 25.4 and 24.8°C respectively. The upper limit of thermal acceptability obtained via indirect investigation
VOC Concentrations in an Indoor Workplace Environment of a University Building
Authors: Solomon S.J. , Schade G.W. , Kuttippurath J. , Ladstätter-Weissenmayer A. , Burrows J.P.
Published: June 2008

An indoor air quality survey was conducted at selected indoor environments in the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering of the University of Bremen, Germany, during August 2005. The mean indoor/ outdoor (I/O) ratios of pollutants appeared to be higher than 1.0 for most volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Apart from direct emissions from indoor materials and infiltration of outdoor air, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was a dominant factor in indoor pollution. Pollutants which were commonly associated with cleaning products and materials, including monoterpenes, aldehydes and acetone exhibited general trends of higher concentrations indoors compared to outdoor levels. Indoor concentrations of many VOCs were found to be 2—10 times higher during weekdays as compared to the weekend, exhibiting a strong correlation with human activities. A comparison with previous studies on the health risks due to selected VOCs indicates that long-term exposure to the peak values reported in this study has potential to develop adverse health effects to the occupants whereby reducing the efficiency in the workplace.
Making Sense of Competing Nursing Shortage Concepts
Authors: Goldfarb Marsha G. , Goldfarb Robert S. , Long Mark C.
Published: June 2008

Widespread and continuing discussions of nursing shortages frequently involve divergent concepts of shortage that can have differing policy implications. This article explains the shortage concepts used by economists, hospital administrators, and government policy makers. It discusses measurement problems and suggests possible improvements. It then sets forth the divergent policy implications of competing shortage concepts. The article's aim is to promote greater clarity in analyses of nursing shortages and more fruitful conversations among participants who use different notions of shortages.
Adjusting for Nursing Care Case Mix in Hospital Reimbursement
Authors: Laport Nancy , Sermeus Walter , Vanden Boer Guy , Van Herck Pieter
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine and review the different ways in which nursing care can be accounted for in a general hospital reimbursement system. The study is based on a literature review and a survey of international experts. It provides a typology of nursing care adjustment methods, using current and past practices of 14 Western countries as key examples. The results of our review indicate that it is necessary to take the variability of nursing care within DRGs into account, not from a cost-accounting perspective, but from a management perspective in terms of correct resource allocation. However, further investigation of these complex relationships is urgently needed.
Analytical modelling of electrode wear occurring during resistance spot welding
Authors: Gould J. E. , Peterson W.
Published: June 2008

Electrode wear during resistance spot welding of galvanised steels has been modelled using an analytical thermomechanical approach. Thermal profiles in the spot weld and electrode are estimated using a one-dimensional solution. The thermal profile in the spot weld is based on a thermal balance between the material stack-up, nugget penetration and electrode geometry. Thermal profiles in the electrode are based on the results from the spot weld, as well as its relative conductivity and geometry. Results for a single weld cycle allowed prediction of a forge zone at the electrode face. Deformation of this zone under the applied stress then defined the wear and relative resultant changes in electrode geometry. Electrode life could then be predicted as a summation of these deformations from weld to weld. This was done by repeated applications of the defined equations in a spreadsheet format. Initial results were shown consistent with representative electrode life tests. The equations were then used to understand underlying physical phenomena associated with electrode wear. A discussion is also provided defining limitations to the model, and its ability to predict actual electrode life.
Fc-dependent expression of CD137 on human NK cells: insights into “agonistic” effects of anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Lin Wei , Voskens Caroline J. , Zhang Xiaoyu , Schindler Daniel G. , Wood Aaron , Burch Erin , Wei Yadong , Chen Lieping , Tian Guoliang , Tamada Koji , Wang Lai-Xi , Schulze Dan H. , Mann Dean , Strome Scott E.
Published: June 2008

CD137 (4-1BB) is a costimulatory mol-ecule that can be manipulated for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. Although it is known that agonistic antibodies (mAbs) against CD137 enhance the rejection of murine tumors in a natural killer (NK) cell– and T cell–dependent fashion, the mechanism for NK dependence is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the ability of 2 different glycoforms of a chimerized antihuman CD137 mAb, an aglycosylated (GA) and a low fucose form (GG), to react with human NK cells. Both mAbs bound similarly to CD137 and partially blocked the interaction between CD137 and CD137 ligand. However, unlike GA mAb, immobilized GG mAb activated NK cells and enhanced CD137 expression. These effects were seemingly dependent on Fc interaction with putative Fc receptors on the NK-cell surface, as only the immobilized Fc-fragment of GG was required for CD137 expression. Furthermore, CD137 expression could be enhanced with antibodies directed against non-CD137 epitopes, and the expression levels directly correlated with patterns of Fc-glycosylation recognized to improve Fc interaction with Fcγ receptors. Our data suggest that CD137 can be enhanced on NK cells in an Fc-dependent fashion and that expression correlates with phenotypic and functional parameters of activation.
Recruitment of T cells into bone marrow of ITP patients possibly due to elevated expression of VLA-4 and CX3CR1
Authors: Olsson Bob , Ridell Börje , Carlsson Lena , Jacobsson Stefan , Wadenvik Hans
Published: June 2008

In idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), platelets are destroyed in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow (BM) by autoantibodies and cytotoxic T cells. In a DNA microarray screen of peripheral blood T cells, we found that VLA-4, CX3CR1, and CXCR4, involved in T-cell homing, had increased expression in ITP patients compared with controls. However, we only found increased protein expression of VLA-4 on T cells from peripheral blood by flow cytometry. To address a possible recruitment of T cells into the organs involved in platelet destruction, we analyzed T cells in BM. In BM, T-cell surface expression of VLA-4 and CX3CR1 was increased in ITP patients compared with controls. Furthermore, the number of CD3+ T cells in BM, but not in blood, was increased in ITP patients compared with controls. This finding was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of BM biopsies. The number of regulatory T cells (CD4+/CD25bright) was decreased in the BM of ITP patients, whereas Fas expression was increased. In conclusion, ITP is associated with accumulation and activation of T cells in the BM. Recruitment of T cells into the target organ (eg, BM) is plausible and may be facilitated through increased VLA-4 and CX3CR1 expression. These molecules might serve as new treatment targets in ITP.
C. elegans dss-1is functionally conserved and required for oogenesis and larval growth
Authors: Pispa Johanna , Palmén Susanna , Holmberg Carina I , Jäntti Jussi
Published: June 2008

Background

Dss1 (or Rpn15) is a recently identified subunit of the 26S proteasome regulatory particle. In addition to its function in the protein degradation machinery, it has been linked to BRCA2 (breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 product) and homologous DNA recombination, mRNA export, and exocytosis. While the fungal orthologues of Dss1 are not essential for viability, the significance of Dss1 in metazoans has remained unknown due to a lack of knockout animal models.

Results

In the current study deletion ofdss-1was studied inCaenorhabditis eleganswith adss-1loss-of-function mutant anddss-1directed RNAi. The analysis revealed an essential role fordss-1in oogenesis. In addition,dss-1RNAi caused embryonic lethality and larval arrest, presumably due to loss of thedss-1mRNA maternal contribution. DSS-1::GFP fusion protein localised primarily in the nucleus. No apparent effect on proteasome function was found indss-1RNAi treated worms. However, expression of theC. elegans dss-1in yeast cells deleted for its orthologueSEM1rescued their temperature-sensitive growth phenotype, and partially rescued the accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in these cells.

Conclusion

The first knockout animal model for the gene encoding the proteasome subunit DSS-1/Rpn15/Sem1 is characterised in this study. In contrast to unicellular eukaryotes, theC. elegans dss-1encodes an essential protein, which is required for embryogenesis, larval growth, and oogenesis, and which is functionally conserved with its yeast and human homologues.