Historically, prediction of sex offender recidivism focused predominantly on an offender’s static (unchangeable) risk factors, such as number of prior arrests, age at first arrest, etc. (Hepburn & Griffin, 2004). However, the importance of taking dynamic risk factors into account has been emphasized in recent years. Examples of dynamic factors pertaining to sex offenders include substance abuse, hostility, impulsiveness, lack of concern for others, emotional distress, and deviant sexual interests and attitudes (Witt & Schneider, 2005). Examining both static and dynamic variables is important in predicting sex offender risk (Hanson, 1998). Comprehensive sex offender assessment would then address both types of factors. The Sexual Adjustment Inventory (SAI) is an accurate, evidence based sex offender assessment instrument that incorporates both static and dynamic risk factors. Sex offender court and treatment history is addressed on the SAI answer sheet. SAI scale scores provide information about substance abuse, antisocial thinking, emotional problems, hostility (violence) and attitudes about sexual assault, deviant sexual interests and more. Sexual offending is often a difficult-to-broach topic for everyone involved, including the offenders themselves. The SAI is an objective way to identify sex offender risk and need. Offenders are more likely to accept objective test results as opposed to others’ subjective opinions.

The Sexual Adjustment Inventory (SAI) has 225 items and takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The SAI consists of 13 scales (briefly described and listed below). For detailed Sexual Adjustment Inventory (SAI) scale information, click on the Scale Description link. To learn more about the two SAI Truthfulness scales (1. Sex-Item Truthfulness and 2. Test-Item Truthfulness), click on the Truthfulness Scales link.

-----------------------------Sexual Adjustment Inventory (SAI) Scales-----------------------------

Six Sex-Related Scales:

Seven Non Sex-Related Scales:

----------------------------------------------Sex-Related Scales--------------------------------------------

1. Sex-Item Truthfulness Scale: measures the respondent’s truthfulness when answering sex-related questions. Click on the Truthfulness Scales link for a full description.

2. Sexual Adjustment Scale: measures the client’s (patient’s or offender’s) satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their sex life. Healthy or unhealthy sexual adjustment in childhood can factor into adult sexual behaviors (Borneman, 1994).

3. Sexual Assault Scale: measures the client’s (patient’s or offender’s) propensity to use force to rape, sexually abuse or otherwise sexually assault others. Rapists often have views regarding gender roles that can differ from many non-rapists (Bennett, 1992).

4. Child Molest Scale: measures sexual interest in children aged 13 years or younger (pedophilia). Child molesters often attempt to justify their pedophilic thoughts and behavior (Saradjian & Nobus, 2003).

5. Exhibitionism Scale: measures the respondent’s urges to expose their genitals to unsuspecting strangers. Although exhibitionism may seem to be a relatively benign paraphilia, there is evidence that many exhibitionists are likely to engage in other types of sexual offenses (Psychiatric News, 2006).

6. Incest Classification: This is a classification scale that simply identifies the presence or absence of incestuous behavior. Incest is a complex term involving moral, social and religious attitudes. Incest victims’ negative mental health symptoms may be associated with the family members’ reaction to the victim’s disclosure of incest (Sheinberg & Fraenkel, 2004).

------------------------------------------Non-Sex-Related Scales------------------------------------------

7. Test-Item Truthfulness Scale: Measures the client’s (patient’s or offender’s) truthfulness in regards to non-sex-related SAI test answers. Click on the Truthfulness Scales link for more information.

8. Violence Scale: identifies people that are dangerous to themselves and others. Several states in the U.S. have implemented new laws regarding involuntary commitment of ‘sexually violent predators’ (Lieb, 2006).

9. Antisocial Scale: measures severity of antisocial behaviors. A significant proportion of sexual offenders are known to have comorbid personality disorders, including Antisocial Personality Disorder (Berger, Berner, Bolterauer, Gutierrez, Berger, 1999).

10. Distress Scale: measures feelings of generalized anxiety, apprehension and depression. Another term for this disorder is ‘dysphoria’. Sex offenders are subject to dysphoric moods (Gordon & Grubin, 2004).

11. Impulsiveness Scale: measures the client’s (patient’s or offender’s) tendency to abruptly engage in activities without adequate forethought or consideration of consequences. Impulsiveness is a common characteristic of sex offenders (Giotakos, Vaidakis, Markianos & Christodoulou, 2003).

12. Alcohol Scale: measures alcohol use and the severity of abuse, if present. Alcohol abuse is often a comorbid disorder in some sex offenders (Raymond, Coleman, Ohlerking, Christenson & Miner, 1999).

13. Drugs Scale: measures drug use and the severity of abuse. A recent study noted that approximately 21.0% of incarcerated sex offenders were under the influence of either marijuana or cocaine when the offense occurred (CASA, 1999).

Together, these 13 SAI scales represent a comprehensive sex offender profile. The SAI is easy to interpret, use and administer. SAI tests are scored with typed reports printed within 3 minutes of SAI data (answers) entry.

---------------------------------------TWO WAYS TO ADMINISTER--------------------------------------

There are two different way to purchase and administer the Sexual Adjustment Inventory (SAI).

1. Windows applications: the SAI is available on diskettes and USB flash drives (www.bdsltd.com) or

2. Online or internet applications: the SAI is available on the Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. internet testing platform (www.online-testing.com).

Having two different ways for test users to purchase and administer the SAI enables them to select the administration method that is best suited to meet their needs. Cost and volume discounts are discussed on each of the above websites. Regardless of how you administer the SAI, all tests are computer-scored with reports printed on-site within 3 minutes of test data (answers) entry. Should you have questions, call 1 (800) 231-2401 or email us at info@online-testing.com.

CITATIONS

Bennett, L. (1992). The Rapist and His Family: Issues of Cohesion, Adaptability, and Attitudes Toward Women. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Delaware. Dissertation Abstracts International 52 (12A, June): 4480–4481.

Berger, P., Berner, W., Bolterauer, J. Gutierrez, K. & Berger, K. (1999). Sadistic personality disorder in sex offenders: relationship to antisocial personality disorder and sexual sadism. Journal of Personality Disorders; 13 (2): 175-186.

Borneman, Ernest. (1994). Childhood Phases of Maturity: Sexual Developmental Psychology, translated by Michael A. Lombardi-Nash. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books.

Gordon, H. & Grubin, D. (2004). Psychiatric aspects of the assessment and treatment of sex offenders. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2004; 10: 73-80.

Hanson, R. K. (1998). What do we know about sex offender risk assessment? Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 4, 50-72.

Hepburn, J. & Griffin, M. (2004). An Analysis of Risk Factors Contributing to the recidivism of Sex Offenders on Probation. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=203905

Lieb, R. (2006). Comparison of state laws on involuntary commitment of sexually violent predators. Sex Offender Law Report, 7(2), 17, 26-32.

National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) (1999). Dangerous Liaisons: Substance Abuse and Sex. Retrieved from: http://www.casacolumbia.org/articlefiles/379-Dangerous%20Liaisons.pdf

Psychiatric News. One-fourth of exhibitionists commit additional sex offenses. Clinical and Research News, 41 (22).

Raymond, N., Coleman, E., Ohkerling, F., Christenson, G., Miner, M. (1999), Psychiatric Comorbidity on Pedophilic Sex Offenders. American Journal of Psychiatry; 156:786-788.

Saradjian, A., & Nobus, D. (2003). “Cognitive Distortions of Religious Professionals Who Sexually Abuse Children.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 18(8): 905–923.

Sheinberg, M. & Fraenkel, P. (2004). The Relational Trauma of Incest: A Family Based Approach to Treatment. The Canadian Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Review, 2004 February; 13(1): 20

Witt, P. & Schneider, J (2005). Managing sex offenders by assessing dynamic risk factors. Sex Offender Law Report, 6; pp. 49, 54-57.