The big 5 dimensional personality approach to understanding sex offenders

Although previous research has reported that the incarceration of sex offen ders does not significantly reduce re-offending, there is no adequate theor y guiding remedial programs for this population. The aim of the present stu dy was to examine whether normal personality variation provides useful theo retical insight into the nature of sex offences against children. The Revis ed NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), a measure of the five-factor model (FFM) of personality, was administered to 64 males incarcerated for child sex offences. Sex offenders were categorised into different offender groups comprising incest within the immediate family, incest within step-family a nd extra familial offence. A comparison group of 33 non-offender males also completed the NEO PI-R. Results indicated that the sex offender groups wer e significantly higher in Neuroticism and significantly lower in Extraversi on and Conscientiousness compared to the non-offender group. Significant di fferences between the sex offender groups and comparison groups for NEO PI- R facets were also found. The implications of these findings in terms of ea rly identification and treatment are discussed.