An investigation into the personality profiles of male sexual offenders in Limpopo Province

Abstract

A critical component in the management of sex offenders is an understanding of their personality traits, which relates to their childhood development, as this could contribute to more effective treatment interventions. This study sought to determine the personality profiles, pertaining to psychopathology, indicators of attachment, aggressive and paranoid characteristics of male sexual offenders. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey at five correctional facilities. The data was collected from 112 sex offenders using the PAI questionnaire. Of the 112 participants, 87.5 percent were single and most of the offenders (56.3 %) did not have any psychopathology. Many sex offenders with Insecure Avoidant Attachment (25.0%) were from single parent families. Most of the respondents (51.8%) have paranoid characteristics, with no significant relationship between marital status and paranoid tendencies in male sex offenders. The most predominant type of attachment in male sex offenders is Insecure Avoidant Attachment with high levels of Personality Disorders in male sex offenders (Borderline and Anti-Social Personality Disorder). A high proportion of the sample displayed aggressive tendencies with those who were unemployed more likely to display more aggression. Respondents who were single displayed more psychopathology than those who were married.