Changes in J-SOAP-II and SAVRY Scores Over the Course of Residential, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adolescent Sexual Offending

Authors

Jodi L. Viljoen, Simon Fraser UniversityFollow
Andrew L. Gray, Simon Fraser UniversityFollow
Catherine Shaffer, Simon Fraser UniversityFollow
Natasha E. Latzman, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
Mario Scalora, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Daniel Ullman, Lincoln Regional Center, Lincoln, NE

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment 2017, Vol. 29(4) 342– 374.

DOI: 10.1177/1079063215595404

Comments

US government work.

Abstract

Although the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol–II (J-SOAP-II) and the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) include an emphasis on dynamic, or modifiable factors, there has been little research on dynamic changes on these tools. To help address this gap, we compared admission and discharge scores of 163 adolescents who attended a residential, cognitive-behavioral treatment program for sexual offending. Based on reliable change indices, one half of youth showed a reliable decrease on the J-SOAP-II Dynamic Risk Total Score and one third of youth showed a reliable decrease on the SAVRY Dynamic Risk Total Score. Contrary to expectations, decreases in risk factors and increases in protective factors did not predict reduced sexual, violent nonsexual, or any reoffending. In addition, no associations were found between scores on the Psychopathy Checklist:Youth Version and levels of change. Overall, the J-SOAP-II and the SAVRY hold promise in measuring change, but further research is needed.