Adolescents with harmful sexual behaviours in New Zealand: could assessment of personality-based classifications help guide therapeutic interventions?

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to report on a pilot study using a personality-based classification of a community-based sample of 298 adolescent males with harmful sexual behaviours (AHSB) using the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). Three personality-based profile types were identified using cluster analysis: Cluster 1. Detached, a detached and socially isolated type (n = 97); Cluster 2. Offending Supportive, an antisocial, offending-supportive type (n = 73); and Cluster 3. Typical Teen/Restricted, a type with few clinically elevated personality characteristics (n = 128). Further analyses indicated significant differences among the personality-based profiles on the MACI subscales that measured response styles, adolescents’ concerns and clinical problems. Few statistically significant relationships between the profile types and AHSB, offence and victim characteristics were found. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, and the need for further research on the use of personality-based classification is recommended.