Can Psychopathy Inform about Differences in Criminal Career Development of Juvenile Sex and Non-Sex Offenders?

• In Event: A Longitudinal Study of Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders and the Transition to Adulthood: Are Juvenile Sex Offenders a Distinct Group?

Abstract

In previous research, children with both sexual and physical aggression problems were more likely to present with symptoms of callous and unemotional traits. However, whether juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) with a history of violence are more likely to present with symptoms of psychopathy compared to juvenile non-sex offenders (JNSOs) has not been empirically examined. Data from the study on Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offenders were used to examine whether symptoms of psychopathy measured using the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) differed between JSOs (n = 45) and JNSOs (n = 284). JSOs with a history of violence had higher PCL:YV scores compared to both violent and non-violent JNSOs. The differences between groups were due to JSOs scoring higher on the interpersonal and affective facets of the PCL:YV. Importantly, higher PCL:YV scores for JSOs could not be explained by an earlier onset, more frequent, or more versatile offending history, as JSOs and JNSOs did not differ on these measures. PCL:YV scores helped account for which offenders continued to offend both violently and non-violently in adulthood. Therapeutic intervention targeting deficits in interpersonal and affective functioning may be helpful in preventing sex offenses.

Authors

• Raymond R. Corrado, Simon Fraser University

• Evan McCuish, Simon Fraser University

• Patrick Lussier, Laval University