International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Mechanism of Bystander-Blaming: Defensive Attribution, Counterfactual Thinking, and Gender
This study highlights the bystander and investigates bystander-blaming by exploring some theoretical explanations, including counterfactual thinking, defensive attribution, and gender differences. The study included 363 young male and female participants, who read vignettes describing the behavior of the victim and the bystander in a rape scenario and answered questions regarding bystander-blaming. The results show that both counterfactual thinking and defensive attribution play a role in bystander-blaming. This article addresses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings. (Source: International Journal o...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Levy, I., Ben-David, S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Self-Reported Psychopathic Traits in Sexually Offending Juveniles Compared With Generally Offending Juveniles and General Population Youth
The aim of the current study is to gain a better insight into the relationship between sexually aggressive behaviour and psychopathy in youths; juveniles who sexually offended (JSOs) were compared with generally offending youths and a general population group. Seventy-one JSOs, 416 detained general offenders, and 331 males from the general population were assessed by means of the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory (YPI), a self-report instrument. Sexually and generally offending juveniles had significantly lower levels of self-reported psychopathic traits than youths from the general population. Juvenile sexual offenders ...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Boonmann, C., Jansen, L. M. C., 't Hart-Kerkhoffs, L. A., Vahl, P., Hillege, S. L., Doreleijers, T. A. H., Vermeiren, R. R. J. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Examining Ethnic Differences in Self-Reported Psychopathic Traits Among Portuguese Male Juvenile Offenders
The aim of the present study was to analyze differences regarding psychopathic traits and related constructs in male youths of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The participants were 216 male youths from the Juvenile Detention Centers of the Portuguese Ministry of Justice (White Europeans group: n = 108; ethnic minorities group: n = 108). Psychopathy was measured by the Antisocial Process Screening Device and the Child and Adolescent Taxon Scale. The results showed that no differences were found between ethnic groups regarding psychopathic traits and psychopathy taxon. Independent of ethnic group membership, psychopathic trait s...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Pechorro, P., Poiares, C., Barroso, R., Nunes, C., Jesus, S. N. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Stability of Self-Control: Hirschi's Redefined Self-Control
In 2004, Hirschi redefined self-control by using the framework of his social control theory while retaining assumptions of his original self-control theory. A few studies have provided supportive evidence for the relationship between the newly defined self-control and deviant behavior, whereas no study has tested stability hypothesis by using this new self-control. This is the first study that examines whether the stability hypothesis is still valid in the revised self-control theory. A recent longitudinal national sample of South Korean youths has been used for this purpose. Correlation analysis revealed moderate relation...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jo, Y. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Measuring the Prevalence of Current, Severe Symptoms of Mental Health Problems in a Canadian Correctional Population: Implications for Delivery of Mental Health Services for Inmates
This study measured the prevalence of current, severe symptoms of a mental health problem in an adult population of inmates in Ontario, Canada. The Resident Assessment Instrument–Mental Health was used to measure the prevalence of symptoms among a sample of 522 inmates. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for nonrandom selection into the sample. Prevalence estimates were derived for the total inmate population, remand and sentenced, males and females, and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal inmates. It is estimated that 41.1% of Ontario inmates will have at least one current, severe symptom of a mental health pro...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Brown, G. P., Hirdes, J. P., Fries, B. E. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

A Systematic Review of Age, Sex, Ethnicity, and Race as Predictors of Violent Recidivism
Recidivism of released prisoners, especially violent recidivism, is an important policy issue. Equally important is an understanding of how demographic risk factors may act as moderators of recidivism. Knowledge of such relationships is important in developing a deeper theoretical understanding of the risk of recidivism as well as identifying points of intervention that may need to be re-oriented to reduce recidivism. The present study conducts a meta-analytic review of the violent recidivism literature focusing on the role of several demographic risk factors. Findings show that age, sex, and race (Whites) were significant...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Piquero, A. R., Jennings, W. G., Diamond, B., Reingle, J. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Transculturalism and Risk Factors for Violent Behavior
(Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology)
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - November 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Palermo, G. B. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Self-Reported Violence of Osaka and Seattle Male Youths
Traditionally, Japan has been regarded as a country with low crime. Comparative research has given insights into the extent of similarities and differences in crime between America and Japan. The importance of these studies is the examination of whether Western-established criminological knowledge is applicable to non-Western societies like Japan. Unfortunately, comparative self-report studies involving Japan and investigating youth offending are scarce. The current study investigates risk factors and self-reports of violence from Osaka and Seattle male youths. The findings reveal that Japanese male youths self-report a hi...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Bui, L., Farrington, D. P., Ueda, M., Hill, K. G. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Music Therapy for Prisoners: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial and Implications for Evaluating Psychosocial Interventions
Mental health problems are common among prison inmates. Music therapy has been shown to reduce mental health problems. It may also be beneficial in the rehabilitation of prisoners, but rigorous outcome research is lacking. We compared group music therapy with standard care for prisoners in a pilot randomised controlled trial that started with the establishment of music therapy services in a prison near Bergen in 2008. In all, 113 prisoners agreed to participate. Anxiety (STAI-State [State–Trait Anxiety Inventory], STAI-Trait), depression (HADS-D [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale]), and social relationships (Qual...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Gold, C., Assmus, J., Hjornevik, K., Qvale, L. G., Brown, F. K., Hansen, A. L., Waage, L., Stige, B. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Elaborations on Sexual Assault on Dates Among Israeli Students: Risk, Detrimental Effect, and Resilience Factors
The current study of 668 Israeli male and female students examines the prevalence of gendered risk factors for sexual assault (SA) on dates, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a detrimental effect of SA, and self-efficacy as resiliency to refuse unwanted sex following SA. Two different sets of risk factors that increased the likelihood of SA on dates emerged from the hierarchical regression. Sexual experience, use of drugs, and private location increased the risk of being SA victims among males, whereas sexual experience, perceived provocative behavior, and alcohol use increased the risk among females. In addition, PT...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Shechory Bitton, M., Ben-David, S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Sex Offenders and Sex Crime Recidivism: Investigating the Role of Sentence Length and Time Served
The relationship between criminal justice sanctions and sex crime recidivism remains largely unexplored. Therefore, using a sample of 8,461 previously incarcerated male sex offenders from 13 states in the United States, we focus on the sentence meted out for the sex crime conviction and the amount of time sex offenders served as a result of their conviction. Sex offenders were grouped into four categories: rapists, sexual assaulters, child molesters, and all sex offenders combined. Recidivism was operationalized as rearrest and reconviction. Findings suggest how recidivism is operationalized matters. When recidivism is mea...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Budd, K., Desmond, S. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

An Empirical Assessment of the Overlap Between Sexual Victimization and Sex Offending
There has been a recent proliferation in the number of studies that are investigating the phenomenon that has been coined the victim–offender overlap. There has been noticeably less attention toward examining the sexual victimization and sex offending overlap. Acknowledging this gap in the literature, the present study provides an assessment of this overlap among a large sample of male prisoners with a focus on the cycle of violence hypothesis. Bivariate results reveal a considerable degree of overlap between sexual victimization and sex offending, and multivariate results estimated from a series of bivariate probit ...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jennings, W. G., Zgoba, K. M., Maschi, T., Reingle, J. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Psychological Strengths and Posttraumatic Growth in the Successful Reintegration of South African Ex-Offenders
This study aimed to explore the possible presence of psychological strengths and posttraumatic growth in the life stories of ex-offenders who desisted returning to crime. Recidivism rates in South African offenders released from prison remain as high as 97%. Little is known about positive psychological factors that may facilitate successful reentry of ex-offenders in the South African context. In an exploratory qualitative study, three adult male ex-offenders who had successfully reintegrated into society were interviewed, using a semi-structured interview schedule focusing on their life stories. Data was analyzed using th...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Guse, T., Hudson, D. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Planning to Avoid Risk or Planning for a Positive Life: The Relationship Between Release Plan Valence and Reoffending
Following release from prison, offenders face a variety of challenges reintegrating back into the community. As a result, many high-risk offenders fail quickly. Research has shown that good quality release plans—plans to address offenders’ basic needs in the community—are related to reduced rates of recidivism during this risky time. But what makes a good plan? The current study examines release plan valence: whether plans are approach-oriented or avoidance-oriented. Although it was hypothesized that approach plans would be related to better outcomes, the results showed no relationship between release pla...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Dickson, S. R., Polaschek, D. L. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Not My Fault: Blame Externalization Is the Psychopathic Feature Most Associated With Pathological Delinquency Among Confined Delinquents
The association between psychopathy and crime is established, but the specific components of the personality disorders that most contribute to crime are largely unknown. Drawing on data from 723 confined delinquents in Missouri, the present study delved into the eight subscales of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Short Form to empirically assess the specific aspects of the disorder that are most responsible for explaining variation in career delinquency. Blame externalization emerged as the strongest predictor of career delinquency in ordinary least squares regression, logistic regression, and t-test models. Fe...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - October 19, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: DeLisi, M., Angton, A., Vaughn, M. G., Trulson, C. R., Caudill, J. W., Beaver, K. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research