Childhood Abuse and Adolescent Sexual Re-Offending: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Recent research indicates that adolescents who have sexually offended are more likely than other adolescents to have a history of sexual and physical abuse. However, it is unclear whether abuse predicts re-offending among these adolescents. To examine this relationship, a meta-analysis was conducted which included 29 effect sizes drawn from 11 published and unpublished studies involving 1542 sexually abusive adolescents. The results indicate a significant but small relationship between history of sexual abuse and sexual re-offending (O.R. = 1.51, p \ .05). In contrast, sexual abuse did not significantly predict general re-offending, although there was significant heterogeneity across studies. The relationship between physical abuse and recidivism (sexual and general) was non-significant. Due to methodological shortcomings in this area, such as limitations in methods of determining abuse history and the scarcity of research, the ability to make conclusions about the relationship between abuse and adolescent sexual recidivism is limited. As such, the discussion outlines how new studies can address these shortcomings and advance knowledge.

Risk and Protective Factors for Recidivism Among Juveniles Who Have Offended Sexually

“…For example, although a history of sexual abuse is commonly perceived to be a risk factor (e.g., Mallie et al, 2011), it was not significantly related to sexual recidivism. However, no supported, promising, or possible risk factors were associated with sexual recidivism either, with the exception of opportunities to reoffend.…”

Trauma Exposure and PTSD in Justice-Involved Youth

“…Sexual abuse has been hypothesized as an important risk factor for adolescent sexual offending (Friedrich 2000) with mixed evidence being found regarding this association (see Hunter et al 2003). In the final article, Mallie et al (2011) report the results of a metaanalysis investigating the association between childhood abuse (physical and sexual) and sexual offending behavior. The authors calculated 29 effect sizes from 11 studies representing a total of 1,542 adolescents detected for sexual offending behavior including studies that examined both sexual and general recidivism rates.…”

The Good Enough Home? Home Environment and Outcomes of Young Maltreated Children

“…Physical abuse was experienced by 9% of the participants, sexual abuse by 4%, Neglect/Failure to Provide by 78%, and Neglect/Lack of Supervision by 80%. These numbers reflect a comprehensive review of court records and evaluations; however, there is a pervasive problem within maltreatment research of poor records, inconsistent legal documentation, and may under-represent the true occurrence of abuse (Mallie et al 2011). Each child received comprehensive treatment services for as long as they remained in foster care but were not assessed for this study until they had been out of treatment for at least a year.…”

“…Reports of variance in outcomes of maltreated children are due to factors such as individual differences in susceptibility to the effects of maltreatment (Cicchetti and Toth 1995;Jaffee et al 2004), variation in type and severity of maltreatment experiences (Barnett et al 1993;Mallie et al 2011), and the moderating effect of post-maltreatment contextual factors (Banyard 2003;Bolger and Patterson 2001;Cicchetti and Rogosch 1997;Hussey et al 2005;Kim and Cicchetti 2004;Lynch and Cicchetti 1998). Analyzing the impact of maltreated children's environment over time on their eventual cognitive and socio-emotional functioning has been stressed (Zielinski and Bradshaw 2006).…”