Sexuality and autistic-like symptoms in juvenile sex offenders: A follow-up after 8 years
Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of autism and developmental disorders
Abstract
Juveniles who have committed a sexual offense (JSOs) are thought to have abnormal sexual development, as well as increased ASD symptoms. In the current study, sexual development and behavior, as well as stability of ASD-like symptoms were assessed in a sample of 44 male JSOs (mean age 24.7 ± 1.5 years) 8 years after their sexual offence. JSOs exhibited less knowledge of sexuality, less positive attitudes towards pornography and more often reported having been a victim of verbal sexual intimidation than a matched normal population sample. ASD symptoms were relatively stable over the 8 years follow-up, indicating that social difficulties in JSOs may be part of life-long autistic-like traits. However, ASD symptoms were not related to alterations in sexual development or behavior. (Author Abstract)
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
child abuse, sexual abuse, minors, perpetrators, research
Citation
Baarsma, M. E., Boonmann, C., Hart-Kerkhoffs, L. A., Graaf, H., Doreleijers, T. A., Vermeiren, R. R., & Jansen, L. M. (2016). Sexuality and autistic-like symptoms in juvenile sex offenders: a follow-up after 8 years. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 1-13.