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Ward and Siegert's Pathways Model of child sexual offending: a cluster analysis evaluation

Gannon, Theresa A., Terriere, Rebecca, Leader, Tirza (2012) Ward and Siegert's Pathways Model of child sexual offending: a cluster analysis evaluation. Psychology, Crime & Law, 18 (2). pp. 129-153. ISSN 1068-316X. (doi:10.1080/10683160903535917) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:35095)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10683160903535917

Abstract

In the Pathways Model of child sexual offending, Ward and Siegert originally hypothesised the existence of five pathways or subtypes of child molesters, each characterised by a unique configuration of psychological deficits. We administered a battery of 10 psychometric measures to a sample of 97 UK child molesters and then attempted to identify and validate five unique configurations using a k-means cluster analysis. The results suggested that a five-cluster resolution provided the best fit for the data. Three of the extracted clusters showed some resemblances to the pathways originally hypothesised by Ward and Siegert (namely the intimacy deficits, antisocial cognition, and multiple dysfunction pathways). However, two clusters did not fit comfortably with any of the predicted pathways proposed by Ward and Siegert. These two clusters were labelled ‘impulsivity’ and ‘boy predators’ to reflect their psychological vulnerabilities. We describe our findings with reference to future research, treatment implications, and a tentative reworking of the pathways model.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/10683160903535917
Uncontrolled keywords: child molesters, child sexual offenders, pathways model, cluster analysis, theory
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Theresa Gannon
Date Deposited: 05 Sep 2013 11:30 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/35095 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Gannon, Theresa A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5810-4158
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Leader, Tirza.

Creator's ORCID:
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