Juvenile sex offender treatment outcome and conduct disorder diagnosis

Using a descriptive design, this study investigated the differences in treatment outcomes between juvenile sex offenders who were diagnosed with Conduct Disorder (according to DSM-III-R (APA, 1987) classification system criteria) and those with a non-conduct disorder diagnosis. The clinical records of 100 juvenile males convicted with a sexual offense who were court ordered for a psychiatric/psychological/social assessment and treatment at Youth Court Services/Out-patient Clinic between January 1, 1989 and January 1, 1993 were studied. The results indicated that the youths diagnosed with Conduct Disorder displayed a significantly higher probability for unsuccessful treatment outcome as compared to those youths with a non-conduct disorder diagnosis. The findings suggest the juvenile sex offender who is diagnosed as conduct disordered may be a subtype who is at higher risk of unsuccessfully completing treatment, and may require a more specialized form of intervention. Furthermore, the findings suggest that there are limitations to the DSM-III-R classification system with this population.Arts, Faculty ofSocial Work, School ofGraduat