Use of schema-focused approaches in informing treatment needs of those who sexually offend: A rapid evidence assessment

Abstract

Treatment programmes for individuals who sexually offend have followed primarily Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy principles, however, in recent years they have begun to apply other psychological models (Mews, et al., 2017). The aim of the present study was to investigate how schema-focused approaches may be able to further inform treatment for those who sexually offend, through the identification of early maladaptive schemas (EMS). A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was completed with six, cross-sectional design studies to determine which early maladaptive schemas were most prevalent amongst individuals who sexually offend, and how this information could be used to inform treatment.Results showed that individuals who sexually offend against children were likely to have the following schemas; Abandonment/Instability, Mistrust/Abuse, Defectiveness/Shame, Self-Sacrifice, Negativity/Pessimism, and Emotional Inhibition. Additionally, Social Isolation, Dependence/Incompetence, Vulnerability to harm or illness, Enmeshment/Undeveloped self, Failure to achieve, Entitlement/Grandiosity, Subjugation, Unrelenting standards/Hypercriticalness and Punitiveness schemas were also found to be prevalent for individuals who sexually offend against children. However, these schemas were also reflected to be prevalent for those who sexually offend against adults.Overall, the findings suggested that the above schemas are important and potentially contribute to the prevalence of sexual offending. As such, the findings can be used to inform treatment programmes to include exploration of the effects of adverse life experiences, interpersonal effectiveness in relationships, emotional management, and the exploration of offence supportive attitudes and beliefs as part of the treatment. Due to the ‘rapid’ nature of this assessment and its limitations, findings should not be treated as conclusive and may require further investigation.