McMillan, Dean, Hastings, Richard P., Salter, Daniel C. and Skuse, David H. (2008) Developmental risk factor research and sexual offending against children : A review of some methodological issues. Archives of Sexual Behavior , Volume 37 (Number 6). pp. 877-890. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9193-0

Research output not available from this repository, contact author.

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Research on developmental risk factors for sexual offending against children is inherently difficult. Although there are numerous studies in the area, methodological problems are often not given sufficient attention in the design and interpretation of research. Despite the large number of variables retrospectively associated with sexual offending, the status of these as developmental risk factors remains unclear. If sexual offending research is to make progress, five methodological challenges must be met. These include: (1) establishing the temporal relationship between a putative risk factor and sexual perpetration; (2) ruling out third variable effects; (3) avoiding retrospective reporting bias; (4) generating informative tests of risk mechanisms; and (5) modeling complex developmental phenomena. In this review, we outline these methodological problems and suggest that the study of sexualized behavior in childhood and adolescence may provide some leverage on each of these difficulties.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR)
Journal or Publication Title:	Archives of Sexual Behavior
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	0004-0002
Official Date:	December 2008
Dates:	Date Event December 2008 Published
Volume:	Volume 37
Number:	Number 6
Page Range:	pp. 877-890
DOI:	10.1007/s10508-007-9193-0
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item