Disclosure strategies among sex offenders: A model for understanding the engagement process in groupwork

Abstract

A key component of the functional engagement of child sex offenders in a group-based programme is the disclosure of certain personal information.Such information is required to be of a type and presented in a way that facilitates open exchange in the group, promoting understanding of the presenter's offence pattern and conveying his sole responsibility for the offending. The model explained in this paper, based on an outcome from a grounded theory study, describes in detail four distinct orientations to such disclosure. Each is associated with a particular style of managing the disclosure encounter. Three of these disclosure management styles can be described as essentially "resistant" in nature, but only one is overtly oppositional. The two other "resistant" styles of disclosure management emerge as more covert and perhaps less readily identifiable expressions of reluctance. The implications of the model for work with this population and in more general settings are discussed.

Developing a self‐report measure to assess disclosure strategies in adult male prisoners and its association with personality

“…The theory proposes that there are five traits of personality -Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to experience (hereafter Openness), Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. As a result of exploration of the literature, it appears that descriptions of the five personality traits have similarities to the strategies of disclosure presented by Frost et al (2006). For example, the exploratory disclosure style, characterised by openness to exchanges of information has similarities to the concept of Openness (as described by the adjectives as curious, insightful).…”

“…According to Frost, Daniels, and Hudson (2006) the exploration of strategies that individuals adopt during disclosure may provide practitioners with understanding about client engagement and the function this serves, therefore potentially increasing the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing reoffending. Table 1.…”

“…Implementation of the Disclosure Management Model requires a method of assessing disclosure styles that is reliable. There does not appear to be an existing self-report measure to assess disclosure styles, as defined by Frost et al (2006). Whilst self-report is not without its limitations, it is nonetheless a helpful starting point in developing the area.…”

“…The current research also attempted to explore relationships between personality, self-esteem and disclosure. As a result, a number of specific hypotheses were made:Hypothesis 1 -Participants would report behaviours present during the disclosure process consistent with the four disclosure strategies reported by Frost et al (2006). Hypothesis 2 -Participants scoring higher on the Openness personality factor will demonstrate more behaviours associated with the Exploratory disclosure strategy.…”

“…All responses were provided anonymously. The contributions provided were added to descriptions proposed by Frost et al (2006).In order to gain an independent assessment of the behaviours that were descriptive of each disclosure strategy, a modified version of the Delphi technique was utilised. The Delphi technique has been found to be an efficient way to combine the knowledge and abilities of a group of experts (Lindeman, 1975).…”