The validity of the trans‐theoretical model of behaviour change to investigate motivation to change among child molesters

Abstract

Motivation for behaviour change is considered a crucial issue in the treatment of sex offenders, including child molesters. However, there has been no systematic investigation of this issue. This paper reviews the validity of the constructs of the Trans-theoretical Model of Behaviour Change to act as a framework to investigate motivation for behaviour change among child molesters. Constructs within this theory are the Stages of Change, Processes of Change and Decisional Balance. The utility of these constructs to act as a framework to investigate motivation among child molesters is assessed by reviewing their utility as measures of motivation for behaviour change generally, and by reviewing their relevance to child molesters. It is concluded that the constructs of the Trans-theoretical Model of Behaviour Change are valid measures of motivation and have some general relevance to child molesters. It is therefore concluded that they have some utility to investigate motivation to change among child molesters. Copyright  2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. INTRODUCTIONMotivation for behaviour change is considered a crucial issue in the treatment of sex offenders, including child molesters (Garland and Dougher, 1991;Kear-Colwell and Pollock, 1997). A review of the literature related to child molesters indicates that: (1) they are typically viewed as being unmotivated to change their sexual offending behaviour (Bernard, 1975;Garland and Dougher, 1991); (2) of assessing their motivation to change their sexual offending behaviour; (3) where motivation is assessed, there is some disagreement about who should be targeted for treatment-the most motivated as they are considered to be more likely to benefit from treatment or, the least motivated because they are the most likely to re-offend (Marshall, 1994); (4) the enhancement of motivation to change sexual offending behaviour is an oftencited treatment goal (Grubin and Thornton, 1994;Lee et al., 1996;Allam et al., 1997); and (5), the motivation of child molesters to change their sexually offending behaviour has been associated with therapist variables (Garland and Dougher, 1991) and the offender's cognitive distortions (Kennedy and Grubin, 1992), victim empathy (Hidlebran and Pithers, 1989), treatment participation (Marshall, 1993) and recidivism (Furby et al., 1989). Although Motivation for Behaviour Change 177the literature has canvassed the role of motivation in theorizing about child molesters, it has not been systematically investigated (Garland and Dougher, 1991) and as such, an investigation of this issue is a priority. A better understanding of motivational factors related to behaviour change among child molesters would contribute to improving treatment programmes designed to modify sexual offending behaviour.The Stages of Change construct of the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TMBC, Prochaska and DiClemente, 1982), has been proposed as being relevant to understanding motivation for change among sex offenders generally, and child molesters specifically (Gar...

The assessment of motivation for behaviour change among sex offenders against children: An investigation of the utility of the Stages of Change Questionnaire

“…Of the few theoretical models that have been proposed as being relevant to understanding motivation for behaviour change among sex offenders, the Stages of Change construct of the Trans-theoretical Model of Behaviour Change (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982) appears to have received the most support (Garland & Dougher, 1991;Hudson & Ward, 2000;Kear-Colwell & Pollock, 1997;Mann, 1996;Mann, 2000;Marques, Nelson, Alarcon, & Day, 2000;Tierney & McCabe, 2001a). The Stages of Change construct has been supported across a broad range of presenting problems and a range of sample types (e.g., Prochaska, 1994;Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992).…”

“…Collectively, this research supports the validity of the Stages of Change construct in relation to measuring motivation for behaviour change. Tierney and McCabe (2001a) argued that the Stages of Change construct had some potential utility to investigate motivation for behaviour change among sex offenders against children, although this proposal required empirical investigation. Arguably, similar statements could be made about its utility with sex offenders against adults.…”

The process of change in offender rehabilitation programmes

“…Day et al . (McMurran et al, 1998), adolescent offenders (Hemphill & Howell, 2000), and sex offenders (Tierney & McCabe, 2001). With the notable exception of the Tierney and McCabe (2001) review, most of these studies have, however, been concerned with the measurement of stages of change rather than with how the model might be used to inform treatment delivery.…”

“…(McMurran et al, 1998), adolescent offenders (Hemphill & Howell, 2000), and sex offenders (Tierney & McCabe, 2001). With the notable exception of the Tierney and McCabe (2001) review, most of these studies have, however, been concerned with the measurement of stages of change rather than with how the model might be used to inform treatment delivery. In a recent review of the utility of the model to explain offender change, Casey, Day, & Howells (in press) have argued that the whilst the Transtheoretical Model may be useful in understanding how offenders change addictive behaviours, it may be less useful when the behaviour is infrequent, as is the case with many forms of offending which have low base rates (see also McMurran, 2001).…”

The Utility of the Trans-Theoretical Model of Behavior Change in the Treatment of Sex Offenders

“…A more comprehensive review of the constructs and their relevance to sex offenders has been discussed elsewhere (Tierney & McCabe, 2001).…”