PROFILING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTORTION IN ALLEGED CHILD MOLESTERS

Sex offenders frequently show denial and distortion during forensic ps ychological evaluations, but research into assessment of rationalizati ons and cognitive distortions among sex offenders has been limited. We examined patterns of psychological distortion in 59 alleged child mol esters. We compared fake-good and fake-bad orientations on the MMPI wi th psychological distortion on the Multiphasic Sex Inventory questionn aire which assesses various psychosexual characteristics among sex off enders. Analysis indicated that distortion on the Multiphasic Sex Inve ntory indices of minimization and exaggeration was significantly assoc iated with response-bias on the MMPI. Cognitive-distortion indices wer e highly influenced by response-bias. Admitters differed from deniers on scales with items requiring admission or denial of offenses. Cautio n is warranted in clinical interpretation of the validity scales of th is questionnaire, which are of limited utility for deniers. Subtle ite ms on cognitive-distortion indices may be useful in assessment of thos e who deny and should be subjected to further research.