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Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Vol. 2, No. 3, 259-270 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/1524838001002003004

The Assessment of Denial, Cognitive Distortions, and Victim Empathy among Pedophilic Sex Offenders

An Evaluation of the Utility of Self-Report Measures

DAVID W. TIERNEY

Deakin University

MARITA P. McCABE

Deakin University

The modification of denial, defensiveness, and cognitive distortions and the enhancement of victim empathy are central components in the treatment of pedophilic sex offenders (PSOs) and are thus important factors to evaluate. This review of the literature highlights three broad problems with self-report measures of these variables. First, the psychometric properties of measures vary enormously, with some having no established validity or reliability. Second, the purpose of the measure is generally quite transparent, enabling the respondent to easily pick the socially acceptable responses. Finally, it is difficult to determine which are the best measures to use in assessing PSOs. Measures range from those designed for the general public to those designed specifically for PSOs. Also, they range from those that assess broad processes (e.g., general empathy) to those that assess offensespecific variables (e.g., victim empathy). This article argues that these issues need to be addressed to improve both the assessment of these processes among PSOs and the evaluation of treatment programs for PSOs.

Key Words: denial • cognitive distortions • victim empathy • pedophilic sex offenders


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