T06-P-08 Personality traits of sex offenders - 27/06/08
Résumé |
Objectives |
According to the literature on sex offenders, such subjects are more likely to suffer from antisocial disorders, depression and anxiety, narcissistic personality and, in same cases, even schizophrenia. This study aimed at outlining the personality traits of sex offenders.
Methods |
Nineteen subjects convicted of at least one sex crime were considered and data were collected through a schedule on the life of the subjects, a clinical interview and finally administration of MMPI-2.
Results and conclusions |
In general, results show that subjects have some problems in the emotional-affective sphere. Almost all subjects scored highly in the following scales of MMPI-2: HS (indicative of a tendency to excessive preoccupation with oneʼs body, a number of psychosomatic symptoms and a propensity to narcissism), Pa (indicative of a tendency to hostility and suspicion, alongside with a tendency to blame and criticize others for oneʼs own faults) and HEA (indicative of a tendency to physical symptoms as well as a propensity to worry excessively about oneʼs health). Our sample, although rather small, confirmed the presence of only one trait already reported in the literature, i.e. the narcissistic one and highlighted hypochondria and paranoia. Further research is needed, addressing the diversity of personality presumably existing among sex offenders and presumably related to the specific sexual offence committed (paedophilia, harassment, rape, etc.); in addition, further research should compare sex offenders with other criminals and with non-offenders.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Vol 17 - N° S1
P. 100 - janvier-mars 2008 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.