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SEXUAL
ADJUSTMENT INVENTORY-JUVENILE | ||||||
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Clients with reading impairments may also score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range. A few questions about the juvenile’s education and reading abilities usually clarify the presence of a reading impairment. Some paraphilias are rather common to sex offenders, and these include sexual adjustment (unsatisfying sex life), child (pedophile) molestation, sexual (rape) assault, exhibitionism (exposure of genitals) and incest (sex with close family member). People with paraphilias often manifest several varieties at the same time. Sexual Adjustment Scale: Measures a juvenile’s self-reported sexual satisfaction. This scale reflects the juvenile’s satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their sex life. Elevated scores (70th percentile or higher) indicate dissatisfaction; whereas, Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) scorers reveal an impaired or very unsatisfying sexual adjustment. Sexual Adjustment Scale scores at or above the 70th percentile do not occur by chance. Elevated scale scores require a definite pattern of deviant answers to the scale’s items for a score at or above the 70th percentile to occur.A person’s sexual adjustment is compared with society’s standards, rules, norms and statutes. Some people’s sexual attitudes and behaviors are unacceptable in our society because they are harmful to others. In these cases, the people involved are classified as sexually maladjusted. We do not have to judge the causes, motives or purposes of such behaviors to classify them as maladjusted. Most people in our society agree (or disagree) with each Sexual Adjustment Scale item. The assessor (evaluator or staff) should review all other SAI-Juvenile scale scores to identify co-determinants and stressors. For example, a juvenile could have an elevated Sexual Adjustment Scale score along with other sexual deviate scores. The "other" elevated scale score(s) could add guilt, concern or distress to the juvenile’s perceived sexual adjustment. Other elevated SAI-Juvenile scale scores could exacerbate existing problems or concerns and thereby contribute to a juvenile’s perceived sexual maladjustment. Sexual Adjustment Scale scores can be interpreted independently or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Child (Pedophile) Molest Scale: Measures pedophilia or the juvenile’s interests and sexual urges involving prepubescent children. Note that isolated sexual acts with children do not necessarily warrant the pedophile label.Pedophilia refers to a pathological sexual interest in children. Regardless of the etiology, pedophiles’ sexual expression is released toward children. Attraction to girls is reported twice as much as sexual attraction to boys. Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) Child Molest Scale scorers are attracted to young boys and girls. Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) scorers have established sexual interests in young boys and/or girls. They have a high probability of engaging in pedophilia. They are capable of acting on their urges. However, child molestation should be independently corroborated whenever possible. An elevated (70th or higher percentile) Child (Pedophile) Molest Scale score does not occur by chance. A definite pattern of deviant responses is required to have an elevated Child Molest Scale score. Other elevated sexual deviate/paraphiliac scales in conjunction with an elevated Child Molest Scale score identify other important areas for further inquiry. Similarly, elevated non-sex item scales could identify psychosocial stressors. For example, a Severe Problem Alcohol or Drugs Scale score in combination with an elevated Child Molest Scale score could influence the direction of subsequent inquiry. The Child (Pedophile) Molest Scale score can be interpreted independently or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Sexual (Rape) Assault Scale: Measures sexual violence proneness. Rape refers to sexual assault or sexual intercourse against the will and over the objections of the juvenile’s partner. Sexual assault is often accompanied by force or the threat of force. Many believe rape is not so much a sexual act as an act of hostility and aggression. Rape is a crime of violence. However, Sexual Assault and Violence Scale scores can vary because of the sexual versus non-sexual nature of these scales' items. Both females and males can be raped. Rapists usually inflict some degree of bodily injury in forcing themselves upon their victims.A Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) Sexual Assault Scale score is observed in sexually aggressive people with sexually violent tendencies. A Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) Sexual Assault Scale score identifies people that either fantasize or engage in violent sex. These individuals are capable of sexual assault. An elevated (70th to 89th percentile) or Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) Sexual Assault Scale score does not occur by chance. A definite pattern of deviant responses is required to have an elevated Sexual Assault Scale score. Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) Sexual Assault Scale scorers have a high probability of sexual assault. Other elevated SAI-Juvenile scale scores in conjunction with a Severe Problem Sexual Assault Scale score can provide insight into the sex offender’s situation while identifying important areas for subsequent inquiry. For example, a Severe Problem Violence Scale score in conjunction with an elevated Sexual Assault Scale score would influence subsequent inquiry and treatment. This person is violent in life as well as in sexual relationships. All that is needed is a triggering mechanism like opportunity, alcohol or drugs. The Sexual (Rape) Assault Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Exhibitionism Scale: Measures the probability of the juvenile exposing their genitals to a stranger. In these instances, there is generally no attempt at further sexual activity with the stranger. Exhibitionism is defined in the DSM-IV (p. 256) as "recurrent intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the exposure of one’s genitals to an unsuspecting stranger." Exhibitionism is one of the most common or prevalent sexual deviations.A characteristic common to all forms of sexual deviation is their repetitive, compulsive and patterned nature. This is particularly evident in exhibitionism. A Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) Exhibitionism Scale score identifies people with exhibitionistic tendencies. A Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) Exhibitionism Scale score identifies people with a high probability of being exhibitionists. The Exhibitionism Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Measures incestuous behavior. Incest refers to coitus between persons related by blood or marriage, i.e., parents, siblings or children. Non-coital forms of sexual intercourse do not constitute incest. And, incest does not refer to persons of the same sex. Incest is most common between brother and sister, and the next most common form is between father and daughter. Incest is a criminal act.Of the six non-sex item scales, the Alcohol Scale, Drugs Scale and the Judgment Scale could be important factors involved in initial incestuous relationships. However, incest has many character disorder features. It is a complex term involving moral, social and religious attitudes. The Incest Scale can be interpreted independently of other scale scores. Summary of sex-related SAI-Juvenile scales: The Sexual Adjustment Inventory-Juvenile (SAI-Juvenile) is designed to identify sexually deviate and paraphiliac behavior in people accused, convicted or treated for sexual offenses. To see how these sex-related scales (measures) are reported click on the SAI-Juvenile Example Report link.The Sex Item Truthfulness Scale determines if the juvenile was open and honest while answering sex-related items. These sex-related scales include the Sexual Adjustment Scale, Child (Pedophile) Molest Scale, Sexual (Rape) Assault Scale, Incest Scale and Exhibitionism Scale. The SAI-Juvenile is designed for sex offender assessment. Yet, in addition to sex-related scales (measures) it also assesses other non-sex-related scales or measures. These non-sex-related areas of inquiry include juvenile truthfulness while being tested, substance (alcohol and other drugs) use, violence proneness, antisocial attitudes, judgment and distress. It is important to note that the SAI-Juvenile and all of its scales are standardized (normed) on the juvenile sex offender population.
NON SEX RELATED SCALES The SAI-Juvenile is designed for paraphilia and sexual offender assessment. Yet, it contains other areas of inquiry that are also important in understanding the sex offender. The SAI-Juvenile is much more than just another sex test. The SAI-Juvenile measures a wide variety of behaviors considered important in sex offender evaluations. Test Item Truthfulness Scale: Measures how truthful the client was while completing non-sex items in the SAI-Juvenile. It identifies guarded and defensive people who attempt to minimize their problems or fake good. It also identifies reading impaired clients. The Test Item Truthfulness Scale has been correlated with non-sex item scales in the SAI-Juvenile. A Truth Correction equation then converts raw scale scores to Truth-Corrected scores. Raw scores reflect what the client wants you to know. Truth-Corrected scores reveal what the client is trying to hide. Truth-Corrected scores are more accurate than raw scores. Test Item Truthfulness Scale scores at or above the 90th percentile mean that all non-sex item scales are inaccurate or invalid. Reasons for such invalidity include client minimization of problems, reading things into items that aren’t there, or the client was attempting to fake good. Test Item Truthfulness Scale scores at or below the 89th percentile mean that all non-sex item scale scores are accurate. Clients with reading impairments may also score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range. A few questions about the client’s education and reading abilities usually clarify the presence of a reading impairment. If the client can read the newspaper, he/she can read the SAI-Juvenile. Why two truthfulness scales? In sex offender evaluation, it is important to know if the client is truthful. The Sex Item Truthfulness Scale determines if the client was truthful when answering test items with an obvious sexual connotation. In contrast, the Test Item Truthfulness Scale determines if the client was truthful when answering non-sex-related items.These two truthfulness scales are presented (percentile score and graph) adjacent to each other on the first page of the SAI-Juvenile report to facilitate easy comparison. At a glance, SAI-Juvenile users know: a. If the client lied to sex item questions, b. If the client lied to non-sex item questions, c. If the client lied to both sex-related and non-sex-related questions, or d. If the client answered SAI-Juvenile items honestly. These truth versus dishonest answer options are straightforward yet very important when evaluating sex offenders. These proprietary truthfulness scales provide a wealth of respondent information before staff even look at SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Other assessment instruments and tests do not provide such information about client honesty. Comparison of these truthfulness scales provide considerable insight into client motivation, evasiveness strategies (if they exist) and intent. Measures the severity of alcohol use or abuse. Alcohol refers to beer, wine or other liquor. Alcohol use or abuse is often an important factor to be understood when evaluating people accused or convicted of a sex offense.Alcohol is a significant problem in our society. The harm associated with alcohol abuse -- mental, emotional and physical -- is well documented. All too frequently, sex offenders state they were intoxicated when the offense occurred. A Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) Alcohol Scale score identifies emerging drinking problems. An Alcohol Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies serious and established drinking problems. Elevated Alcohol Scale and Drugs Scale scores indicate polysubstance abuse, and the higher score often reflects the client’s substance of choice. Elevated Alcohol Scale and Violence Scale scores are a malignant sign. Alcohol abuse can magnify a person’s violent tendencies. Similarly, alcohol abuse can serve as a release mechanism for antisocial thinking and behavior. Alcohol Scale scores in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range compound client risk even more. Judgment often decreases as alcohol consumption increases. Elevated Alcohol and Distress Scale scores may initially represent an attempt to self-medicate, while intoxication may exacerbate suicidal ideation. The more of these scales that are elevated with the Alcohol Scale, the more problem prone the client’s situation becomes. The Alcohol Scale can be interpreted individually or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. When alcohol abuse is problematic, it becomes an important part of the sex offender’s treatment program. Drugs Scale: Measures drug use and abuse. Illicit drug use has become a serious problem in our society. Drugs refer to marijuana, crack, cocaine, ice, amphetamines, barbiturates and heroin. A Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) Drugs Scale score identifies emerging drug problems. A Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) Drugs Scale score identifies established and very serious drug problems. Elevated Alcohol, Violence, Antisocial and Distress Scales with an elevated Drugs Scale score is a malignant sign. Drug abuse can be part of polysubstance (drugs and alcohol) abuse, exacerbate violent tendencies, magnify antisocial beliefs (paranoia) and further impair judgment. Elevated Drugs and Distress Scale scores may represent attempts at self-medication; whereas, severe scores may represent suicidal thinking and acting out potential. The more of these scales that are elevated with the Drugs Scale, the more problem prone the client’s situation becomes. The Drugs Scale can be interpreted individually or in combination with other scale scores. When drugs use is problematic, it becomes an important factor to be worked through in sex offender treatment programs. Violence (Lethality) Scale: Measures the client’s use of physical force to injure, damage and destroy. The Violence Scale identifies people who are dangerous to themselves and others. A Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) Violence Scale score identifies violence prone individuals. A Violence Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies very violent and dangerous people. Some people are "violence prone" and often have a chip on their shoulder. They are sensitive to perceived insults, want to "get even" and overtly act out with little provocation. Elevated Alcohol, Drugs, Antisocial and Distress Scales with an elevated Violence Scale are dangerous combinations because each of these scales represents potential violence magnifiers. When the elevated Distress Scale score is higher than the elevated Violence Scale score, anticipate an emotionally overwhelmed person who is in great pain and manifesting suicidal thinking. Elevated Antisocial Scale and Violence Scale scorers are problematic in that the clients may externalize their violent feelings to others, authority, institutions or federal agencies. Severe Problem Violence Scale scorers are dangerous to themselves and others. The Violence Scale can be interpreted individually or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Antisocial Scale: Measures aggressive, impulsive and sometimes violent behavior that flouts social and ethical codes, such as laws relating to personal and property rights. Antisocial people are often opposed to society or existing organizations and moral codes. Antisocial attitudes and behavior are characterized by lack of responsibility, poor judgment and a seeming inability to learn from experience.Elevated Antisocial Scale scores in the Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) range identify emerging antisocial tendencies. An Antisocial Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies established and extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior. Elevated Antisocial and Violence Scale scores represent a dangerous profile in which the client often focuses their violent actions against society and its institutions. The higher the scores, the more dangerous the individual. Elevated Antisocial Scale scoring in combination with an elevated Judgment Scale score is a malignant sign, as judgment becomes progressively impaired as these scores increase. Elevated Alcohol and Drugs Scales are often associated with impaired judgment. Judgment impairments become more extreme as these scale scores escalate into the Severe Problem range. An elevated Antisocial Scale score in combination with an elevated Distress Scale score can be problematic, particularly in the Severe Problem range. These scale scores often identify people on the verge of being emotionally overwhelmed (anxiety, depression and distress) with established antisocial thinking exacerbated. In these instances, the client feels progressively more and more isolated and desperate. Such people can be dangerous to themselves and others. The Antisocial Scale can be interpreted individually or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores. Measures experienced pain (physical and mental) hurt and suffering. The Distress Scale provides a quantitative score that varies directly with the client's self-reported symptoms. This definition of distress incorporates medical problems, pain and suffering. Distress is one of the most common reasons people initiate counseling or psychotherapy. And, it often serves as the beginning point in clinical inquiry. The magnitude of the Distress Scale is important. Elevated scores at or above the 70th percentile level indicate that something is wrong. Distress Scale scores in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range indicate the client is hurting, on the verge of being overwhelmed and desperate. These individuals are often desperate and need help. Consideration should be given to referring these individuals to a certified/licensed mental health professional for a diagnosis and treatment plan.Sometimes, elevated Alcohol and Drugs Scale scores in conjunction with an elevated Distress Scale score identify hurting individuals that are attempting to self-medicate. Concurrently elevated Violence and Distress Scale scores are problematic. The highest Severe Problem score can provide insight regarding internalization (suicide) or externalization (explosive/homicide) of frustration, hostility and distress. These are malignant prognostic signs. Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) Antisocial and Distress Scale scores are descriptive of a very dangerous person. Add in an elevated Violence Scale, and such a person could engage in terrorist type behaviors. The Distress Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scales. An elevated Distress Scale score with elevated sex-related scales would have a very direct interpretation in terms of dissatisfaction, unhappiness or guilt. A person with a Severe Problem Distress Scale score typically will readily discuss their feelings with a sincerely interested staff member. Judgment Scale: Measures the client’s ability to form opinions and conclusions based on events. Judgment involves understanding and comprehension. It refers to the client’s ability to compare facts or ideas, to understand relationships and to draw correct conclusions. Without judgment, people cannot develop self-evaluation in terms of "right" and "wrong" nor develop "remorse" or "guilt."A Judgment Scale score in the Problem Risk (70th to 89th percentile) range identifies people with below average judgmental abilities. A Judgment Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies people with serious judgment problems. Elevated Judgment Scale scores, particularly in the Severe Problem range, impact on most, if not all other, SAI-Juvenile scales. As judgment decreases, a person’s life becomes more problem prone. Judgment, as defined in the SAI-Juvenile Judgment Scale, has not been correlated with intelligence. Consequently, the relationship between judgment and intelligence is unknown. More research is needed to clarify this relationship. Elevated Judgment Scale scores are related to impaired judgment, social skills and conceivably impulse control. The Judgment Scale can be interpreted individually or in combination with other SAI-Juvenile scale scores.
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