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Cited by 721Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingCrime Patterns and InterventionsChild Abuse and Trauma

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 162 of the 166 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

What is so special about male adolescent sexual offending? A review and test of explanations through meta-analysis

Seto, Michael C., Lalumière, Martin L.·2010·Psychological Bulletin
DOI 10.1037/a0019700
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Abstract

We tested special and general explanations of male adolescent sexual offending by conducting a meta-analysis of 59 independent studies comparing male adolescent sex offenders (n = 3,855) with male adolescent non-sex offenders (n = 13,393) on theoretically derived variables reflecting general delinquency risk factors (antisocial tendencies), childhood abuse, exposure to violence, family problems, interpersonal problems, sexuality, psychopathology, and cognitive abilities. The results did not support the notion that adolescent sexual offending can be parsimoniously explained as a simple manifestation of general antisocial tendencies. Adolescent sex offenders had much less extensive criminal histories, fewer antisocial peers, and fewer substance use problems compared with non-sex offenders. Special explanations suggesting a role for sexual abuse history, exposure to sexual violence, other abuse or neglect, social isolation, early exposure to sex or pornography, atypical sexual interests, anxiety, and low self-esteem received support. Explanations focusing on attitudes and beliefs about women or sexual offending, family communication problems or poor parent-child attachment, exposure to nonsexual violence, social incompetence, conventional sexual experience, and low intelligence were not supported. Ranked by effect size, the largest group difference was obtained for atypical sexual interests, followed by sexual abuse history, and, in turn, criminal history, antisocial associations, and substance abuse. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory development, as well as for the assessment, treatment, and prevention of adolescent sexual offending.

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Metadata

Authors
Seto, M. C., & Lalumière, M. L.
Affiliations
  • Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (CA)
  • University of Lethbridge (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Psychological Bulletin
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2010
Volume
136
Issue
4
Pages
526-575
ISSN
  • 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1455
DOI
10.1037/a0019700
OpenAlex
W2111458900
Cited by
721
References
166
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 61 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 56 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 67 · 2014: 63 · 2013: 49 · 2012: 39
FWCI
38.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
adolescent sexual offending, male sex offenders, antisocial tendencies, sexual abuse history, childhood abuse, substance use, criminal history, antisocial peers, psychopathology, low self-esteem, parent-child attachment, risk factors for delinquency
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Mental Disorders, Child Abuse, Sexual, Cognition, Family Relations, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Juvenile Delinquency, Male, Risk Factors, Sex Offenses, Violence, Criminals

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