EVALUATING OUTPATIENT BEHAVIOR-THERAPY OF SEX OFFENDERS - A PRETEST-POSTTEST STUDY

This study compared the entrance and exit scores of 16 patients comple ting treatment at the Highland Institute for Behavioral Change (HIBC), an outpatient program specializing in the behavioral treatment of sex offenders. Outcome measures included the Minnesota Multiphasic Person ality Inventory (MMPI), the Multiphasic Sexual Inventory, and recidivi sm (rearrest record) posttreatment. Statistically significant and clin ical improvements were obtained on a number of these measures. One of the 16 graduates reoffended during the average follow-up period of 26 months the is now incarcerated). These data are supportive of the cont ention that outpatient behavior therapy can be effective in reducing d eviant sexual arousal and in enhancing appropriate consensual sexual b ehavior.