The utility of the MMPI and the MSI for identifying a sex offender typology (with implications for treatment dispositions)

Abstract

Sex offenders are known to be heterogeneous in their behavior and their psychological functioning; however, studies of their heterogeneity have focused on standard measures of psychopathology rather than on measures of sexual deviance. The present study conducted a multivariate cluster analysis using both the MMPIs and the Multiphasic Sex Inventories (MSI) of 164 incarcerated sex offenders. Results suggest that the MSI is more efficacious in determining clinically different subgroups of sex offenders. Additional differences among the subgroups were identified using criminal and psychiatric history, and suggestions were made for their differential treatment needs. Suggestions for future research are also offered.