Differences in Offending Patterns between Adolescent Sex Offenders High or Low in Callous and Unemotional Traits

Adolescents commit nearly one-fifth of the sex crimes each year. Among those offenders exists a group of adolescent sex offenders with callous and unemotional (CU) traits who seem to show a more severe pattern of sexual offending. The current study attempts to test the importance of these traits by comparing adolescent sex offenders high or low on CU traits based on victim and offense characteristics, and offending history. A sample of 150 detained adolescents with a current sexual offense conviction were assessed through self-report, clinical interview, and file review. Results indicated that after controlling for a history of antisocial behaviors, the high CU group was more likely to have a greater number of victims, use more violence with victims, and engage in more offense planning than the low CU group. The high CU group was also more likely to offend against both strangers and family.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Lawing, Katie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Frick, Paul J.
• Marsee, Monica
• Cruse, Keith R.

• adolescent sex offender
• callous and unemotional traits
• psychopathy
• detained youth

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/981

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1962