Risk Factors and Characteristics of Juvenile Sexual Offenders with Psychopathic Personality Traits

Although juveniles make up a relatively small percentage of the population, they tend to be overrepresented in sexual crime statistics (Sickmund & Puzanchera, 2014). Multiple factors influence the likelihood that an adolescent will engage in a sexual offense (Price 2014; Prisco, 2015; Vizard 2004; Vizard et al., 2007; Weinrott, 1997; Withington et al., 2013). One such factor commonly identified in the literature is psychopathy; a significant risk factor for engagement in criminal activity as well as recidivism. The purpose of the current literature review was to attempt to integrate the existing research regarding JSOs with personality traits of psychopathy. The current paper attempted to answer three questions: (1) What are the characteristics and risk factors associated with sexual offending in JSOs with psychopathic personality traits? (2) What are the characteristics and risk factors associated with recidivism in JSOs with psychopathic personality traits? (3) Can a typology be identified for JSOs with psychopathic personality traits? There is limited research regarding this particular group of JSOs. A review of the literature was conducted utilizing electronic databases to identify relevant, peer reviewed articles. The existing research suggests that psychopathic JSOs tend to engage in both general and sexual offending. A combination of psychopathy and sexual inadequacy/deviance is the most robust risk factor for sexual recidivism. Existing risk assessment measures are only moderately predictive of sexual recidivism.