Factors Associated with Denial in a Sample of Alleged Adult Sexual Offenders

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between denial and a number of demographic, adjudication, and personality variables in a sample of 114 sexual offenders against children. Subjects were assessed using the MMPI, the MSI-2, and other measures of sexual interest. Deniers displayed a fake-good style of responding and demonstrated a greater degree of defensiveness than admitters. Deniers also endorsed less pathology on the MMPI clinical scales. These differences held after controlling for IQ and degree of defensiveness, suggesting that deniers approached the assessment situation in a different manner than admitters. Deniers were younger and scored lower on intelligence tests than admitters. A logistic regression predicting admitting status and employing as independent variables two MMPI special scales and a stimulus category from the card sort resulted in an overall correct prediction rate of 73%. Implications for future research with this population are provided.