Theory-Based Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Sexual Aggression

by Gordon C. Nagayama Hall

Overview

Sexual aggression is a pervasive societal problem with devastating and sometimes permanent effects on its victims. Approximately one in four adults has been either a victim or perpetrator of sexually aggressive behavior. Until now, a disproportionate amount of attention has been paid to victim-based methods of prevention with a corresponding lack of emphasis on the perpetrators of sexual aggression, whose rate of recidivism is quite high. As psychologists and mental health professionals turn their attention to the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders, the need for practical, scientifically based information on sexual aggression has become clear. In this book, Gordon Hall offers suggestions based on state-of-the science theory and research. Using the Quadripartite Model of sexual aggression to provide a framework for causes and possible solutions, it breaks new ground by proposing preventive intervention with potential perpetrators. It is a valuable resource for anyone involved in mental health, criminology, and the judicial system.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198025122
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/29/1996
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	645 KB

About the Author

Gordon C. Nagayama Hall is Associate Professor of Psychology at Kent State University. Before coming to Kent State, he worked as a clinical psychologist at the Sex Offender Program at Western Hospital in Fort Steilacoom, Washington. He is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and Psychological Assessment, and his research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Hall is past president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues of the American Psychological Association.

Table of Contents

1.	Introduction	3
	Societal Acceptance of Sexual Aggression	4
	A Focus on Perpetrators	8
	Research Approaches	12
	The Importance of Parsimony	14
I.	Toward a Theory of Sexual Aggression
2.	Theories of Sexual Aggression	21
	Physiological Models of Sexual Aggression	22
	Cognitive Models of Sexual Aggression	26
	Affective Models of Sexual Aggression	34
	Developmental Models of Sexual Aggression	38
	Conclusion	49
3.	A Quadripartite Model of Sexual Aggression	51
	Inhibitory Thresholds for Sexually Aggressive Behavior	53
	Empirical Evidence for the Quadripartite Model	58
	Clinical Psychopathology and Motivational Precursors of Sexually Aggressive Behavior	59
	Experimental Psychopathology and Disinhibitory Variables	63
	Conclusion	70
II.	Theory-Guided Assessment
4.	Predicting Sexually Aggressive Behavior	75
	Personality Profiles of Sexual Aggressors	76
	Physiological Assessment of Sexual Arousal	79
	Clinical Prediction of Sexually Aggressive Behavior	83
	Actuarial Prediction of Sexually Aggressive Behavior	86
	Conclusion	90
5.	Assessment of Motivational Precursors of Sexually Aggressive Behavior	93
	Veracity of Perpetrators' Self-Reports	94
	Veracity of Victims' Self-Reports	100
	Assessment of Situational Disinhibitors of Sexual Aggression	103
	Assessment of Developmentally Related Personality Problems	116
	Conclusion	118
III.	Theory-Guided Treatment
6.	Is Some Treatment Better than No Treatment for Sexual Aggressors?	121
	Behavioral Treatments	122
	Hormonal Treatments	124
	Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments	126
	Future Research	135
	Conclusion	142
7.	Theory-Based Treatment of Sexually Aggressive Behavior	143
	Treatment of Cognitive Distortions	145
	Treatment of Deviant Sexual Arousal	148
	Treatment of Affective Dyscontrol	152
	Treatment of Developmentally Related Personality Problems	154
	Treatment Outcome	155
	Conclusion	157
IV.	Prevention
8.	Protective Factors Against Sexually Aggressive Behavior	161
	Protective Factors Against Antisocial Behavior	163
	Religious Protective Factors	164
	Cultural Protective Factors	168
	Conclusion	175
9.	Reduction of Risk Factors for Sexually Aggressive Behavior	177
	Interventions in the Home	180
	Interventions in Schools	182
	Interventions in Colleges	189
	Interventions in Society	191
	Conclusion	193
	Appendix	195
	References	209
	Index	245

Editorial Reviews

"One of this book's important contributions is the review of treatment options for sex offenders. . . . Hall. . .challenges professionals to search for treatments that will give offenders sufficient self-control and self-monitoring abilities for a safer re-entry into society."—The Journal of Sex Research

"A wide audience will obtain a comprehensive review of the state of the art in sexual aggression research and treatment form Hall's book. The volume is easily accessible to psychologists generally and will be of interest to sexual aggression researchers and clinicians alike....The discussion of treatment effectiveness is excellent."—Contemporary Psychology

From the Publisher