T06-P-08 Personality traits of sex offenders

Le résumé fourni par la source

Objectives According to the literature on sex offenders, such subjects are more likely to suffer from antisocial disorders, depression and anxiety, narcissistic personality and, in same cases, even schizophrenia. This study aimed at outlining the personality traits of sex offenders. Methods Nineteen subjects convicted of at least one sex crime were considered and data were collected through a schedule on the life of the subjects, a clinical interview and finally administration of MMPI-2. Results and conclusions In general, results show that subjects have some problems in the emotional-affective sphere. Almost all subjects scored highly in the following scales of MMPI-2: HS (indicative of a tendency to excessive preoccupation with one's body, a number of psychosomatic symptoms and a propensity to narcissism), Pa (indicative of a tendency to hostility and suspicion, alongside with a tendency to blame and criticize others for one's own faults) and HEA (indicative of a tendency to physical symptoms as well as a propensity to worry excessively about one's health). Our sample, although rather small, confirmed the presence of only one trait already reported in the literature, i.e. the narcissistic one and highlighted hypochondria and paranoia. Further research is needed, addressing the diversity of personality presumably existing among sex offenders and presumably related to the specific sexual offence committed (paedophilia, harassment, rape, etc.); in addition, further research should compare sex offenders with other criminals and with non-offenders.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.