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Cited by 39Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologySchizophrenia research and treatment

Managements for people with disorders of sexual preference and for convicted sexual offenders

Open access
White, Paul, Bradley, Caroline, Ferriter, Michael, Hatzipetrou, Luke·1998·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd000251PMC PMC10775757
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The reviewers recognise that it may be thought that convicted sex offenders and those with disorders of sexual preference are quite different groups. In combining them within this review we have taken the view that legal process alone should not define the population. Illegal behaviours in one jurisdiction may not be considered so in others. Studies of those who are convicted of sexual offending describe reconviction rates for sexual offences of up to 40-60%. It would seem important to know if there are interventions that might reduce this high rate of re-offending. This review examines antilibidinal management of those who have been convicted of sexual offences or who have disorders of sexual preference. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of a range of management techniques to assist people who have disorders of sexual preference and those who have been convicted of sexual offences. SEARCH STRATEGY: Biological Abstracts, the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Register of Trials, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsychLIT were searched. Further references were sought from published trials and their authors. Relevant pharmaceutical manufacturers were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: All relevant randomised controlled trials. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Reviewers evaluated data independently and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Data were extracted for short and medium term outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: A single trial (McConaghy 1988) found the effect of antilibidinal medication (medroxyprogesterone acetate) plus imaginal desensitisation was no better than imaginal desensitisation for problematic/anomalous sexual behaviour and desire. A relapse prevention programme was trialed by Marques (Marques 1994) and participants were followed up for an average of 3 years. What data there are suggest that although there is no discernable effect on the outcome of sex offending (OR 0.76 CI 0. 26-2.28) those treated with response prevention do have less non-sexual violent offences (OR 0.3, CI 0.1-0.89, NNT 10 CI 5-85). In addition those committing both sexual and violent offences also declined in the response prevention group (OR 0.14 CI 0.02-0.98, NNT 20 CI 10-437). A large pragmatic trial investigated the value of group therapy for sex offenders (Romero 1983). This study finds no effect on recidivism at ten years. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: It is disappointing to find that this area lacks a strong evidence base, particularly in light of the controversial nature of the treatment and the high levels of interest in the area. The relapse prevention programme did seem to have some effect on violent reoffending but large, well-conducted randomised trials of long duration are essential if the effectiveness or otherwise of these treatments are to be established.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/14651858.cd000251This paper is marked retracted.

Cites

78 of 78 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • An early Cochrane review by White et al identified only a single drug trial (MPA reviewed in this report) and found it to be ineffective.

    “An early Cochrane review by White et al identified only a single drug trial (i.e., MPA reviewed in this report) and found it to be ineffective (White 1998).”

    From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as White 1998

    The History section (p. 3) confirms that the review was first published in 1998, but the available copy contains a withdrawal notice rather than the trial findings. Searches for MPA, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and drug-trial effectiveness found no passage establishing that the review identified one drug trial or judged it ineffective. (LLM, conf=0.75)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In Bancroft 1974, the previous version of the review rejected the study as quasi-randomised, but the current review finds it meets the criteria for a RCT.

    “In the previous version of this review (White 1998), this study was rejected on the basis that the methodology was quasi-randomised. We now find that this is not the case and that it meets the criteria for a RCT”

    From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as White 1998

    The History section (p. 3) identifies the 1998 review, but our copy contains no discussion of Bancroft 1974 or why any study was excluded. Searches for Bancroft, quasi-randomisation, and excluded studies found no passage that verifies the attributed rejection. (LLM, conf=0.74)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Prior major reviews into the treatment of sexual offending have arrived at mixed conclusions; some claim interventions are effective in reducing recidivism and others the reverse.

    “These have arrived at mixed conclusions; some claiming that interventions are effective in reducing recidivism and others the reverse.”

    From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as White 1998

    The available copy contains publication history (p. 3) and a withdrawal notice (p. 3), but no findings about whether treatment reduces sexual-offense recidivism. Searches for recidivism and for mixed conclusions about intervention effectiveness found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.73)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Related

Authors
White, P., Bradley, C., Ferriter, M., & Hatzipetrou, L.
Affiliations
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
ORCID
Bradley, Caroline
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Published
1998-10-26
Issue
2
Pages
CD000251-CD000251
ISSN
1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/14651858.cd000251
PMC
PMC10775757
OpenAlex
W2155523120
Cited by
39
References
80
Citations by year
2020: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
Type
reference entry
Language
en
Status
Retracted
Update notices
Open access
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
Keywords
sexual offending, recidivism, medroxyprogesterone acetate, response prevention, group therapy, relapse prevention, sexual desire, treatment effectiveness, sex offender management, paraphilias, cognitive behavioral therapy
MeSH terms
Humans, Sexual Behavior, Sex Offenses, Sexual and Gender Disorders

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