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'I feel that if I didn’t come to it anymore, maybe I would go back to my old ways and I don't want that to happen' - Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programmes: Views of Service Users with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Melvin, Clare L., Langdon, Peter E., Murphy, Glynis H. (2019) 'I feel that if I didn’t come to it anymore, maybe I would go back to my old ways and I don't want that to happen' - Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programmes: Views of Service Users with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33 (4). pp. 739-756. ISSN 1360-2322. E-ISSN 1468-3148. (doi:10.1111/jar.12641) (KAR id:75380)

Abstract

Background: The cognitive and behavioural profile associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) includes difficulties with social interaction, communication and empathy. Each of these may present barriers to effective participation in sexual offending treatment, leading to poorer outcomes.

Method: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 13 men with autism and an intellectual disability (including the borderline range) who had completed an adapted sex offender treatment programme. Grounded Theory was used to explore the men's experiences of treatment and perceptions of risk.

Results: The men's perceptions of sexual risk were inextricably linked to constructs of identity and shaped their opinions of treatment effectiveness. Risk of reoffending was conveyed through narratives of changes in self and circumstances and included notions of blame and culpability.

Conclusions: The findings illustrated some clear benefits for men with ASD associated with attending adapted sex offender treatment programmes, including delivery

of treatment within groups and opportunities for social development. The study supports the view that difficulties with empathy and cognitive flexibility complicates treatment for sexual offending.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jar.12641
Uncontrolled keywords: Asperger's syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, qualitative research, service user interviews, sex offending treatment
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: C.L. Melvin
Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2019 15:18 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 18:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/75380 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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