Abstract
This study examines the characteristics of youths convicted of sexual crimes (YSC) and youths convicted of non-sexual crimes (YNSC) to create an inclusive typology of clinical characteristics associated with sexual and general delinquency. The sample consisted of 391 justice-involved male youths aged 14-20. Participants completed either the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression (MASA) or the Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Aggression (MIDSA). Four profiles were identified based on a three-step latent profile analysis (LPA): Normal/Neurotic Delinquents, Macho Delinquents, Sexualised Delinquents, and Psychopathic Sexualised Delinquents. The youths in these profiles differed in the nature and intensity of their clinical characteristics and the incidence of their sexual and non-sexual delinquency.
The distribution of YSCs and YNSCs across the four profiles shows that these are not completely distinct populations. Although two profiles in the typology comprised mainly YSCs, YNSCs were present in all profiles. This highlights the importance of rejecting the idea of one-size-fits-all treatment for these youth. The study also highlights the importance of basing treatment on the clinical characteristics and needs of justice-involved youth rather than on their index offence.
