By Ron Grooters, MSW.
Dr. James Worling, Ph.D., C. Pysch., presented the Protective + Risk Observations For Estimating Sexual Offense Recidivism (PROFESOR) on January 27, 2021, via virtual training with MI-ATSA and 65 attendees. His presentation focused on assessment and research related to adolescent sexual offense recidivism and his most recent assessment tool the PROFESOR. Dr. Worling initiated the training by discussing relevant research on youth with problematic sexual behavior, the importance of assessment, limitations of assessment tools, and emerging research regarding protective factors. He reviewed the etiology of offending actions by youth, as well as the myths and assumptions in this field that have been present from inception.
The morning session primarily focused on the differences between adults and adolescents who commit sexual offenses and the long-standing myths and perceptions that the field has perpetuated since the late 1980’s. The focus on strengths of the adolescent versus pathology was a prevalent refrain throughout the morning session. Dr. Worling articulated the need for a good assessment to focus on specific treatment recommendations, placement considerations, and the measurement of treatment goals. Risk prediction and assessment was discussed in the light of whether accurate predictions can be accomplished with an adolescent population. One prominent research article cited was by Michael Caldwell from 2016 that found a sexual recidivism rate of less than 5 percent on cases since 2000, while general non-sexual recidivism is much higher at 39 percent. He indicated we can conclude that MOST adolescents who commit sexual offenses do NOT go on to commit additional sexual offenses. Dr. Worling posed several interesting questions about risk prediction, including:
- Is the youth at NO risk?
- Does the youth fit the profile of a sex offender? (Does such a profile even exist?)
- What is the risk of a youth reoffending sexually through his/her adult years?
- What is the risk that a youth will reoffend sexually during the next year?
Dr. Worling proceeded to discuss the importance of focusing on protective factors as they pertain to predicting and/or managing risk. These protective factors included items such as interpersonal strengths, family involvement, school functioning, affective strengths, and intrapersonal strengths. For example, affective strengths involve the ability to express and receive affection, acknowledge painful feelings, show concern for others, and accept the closeness of others. Emergent protective factors from research include the following: rewarding relationships with family and friends, rewarding involvement in school/activities, intimacy skills, good emotional regulation, healthy sexual attitudes, a positive sense of self, and hope for the future.
Dr. Worling continued into a description of the PROFESOR assessment tool. Each protective factor assessed in the PROFESOR, 20 in total, was described, with explanation about what specifically puts an adolescent at risk in each category. He offered accompanying vignettes to help detail each factor more thoroughly.
The PROFESOR is designed for adolescent and emerging adults (age 12-25) who have engaged in, or have been accused of engaging in, illegal or otherwise abusive sexual behavior. It is intended to assist with planning interventions that can help individuals to enhance their capacity for sexual and relationship health and, thus, eliminate sexual recidivism. It contains only dynamic factors so it can be used regardless of the acknowledgement of the sexually abusive behavior and circumvent problems with denial. Additionally, it can serve as a measure of change over time.
Returning to the training, the afternoon session involved understanding how to code and use this assessment tool. Dr. Worling engaged the audience in review of multiple vignettes related to scoring the assessment tool appropriately and allowed dialogue about the issues involved in scoring. The PROFESOR tool and coding guidelines can be found here: http://www.drjamesworling.com/profesor.html
The extra positive news about the PROFESOR training, other than its usefulness and application to today’s clinical climate of treatment of youth with sexual behavior problems, is Dr. Worling’s availability to provide the training again March 25, 2021 (register at https://miatsa.org/events/profesor-training-with-dr-james-worling-2/). Given the need for improved assessment of youthful individuals who have sexually offended, I would highly recommend attendance if you missed him the first time around. The focus on protective factors shows promising signs for treatment and supervision of this population going forward, so do not miss out on enhancing your competence and the ability to use a cutting-edge tool!
Link to reference abstract:
Caldwell, M. F. (2016). Quantifying the decline in juvenile sexual recidivism rates. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 22(4), 414–426. https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000094