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Assertiveness in Pretreatment and Posttreatment Institutionalized Sex Offenders

NCJ Number
72173
Author(s)
S H Jensen
Date Published
1976
Length
31 pages
Annotation
Using the Gambrill-Richey Assertion Inventory, a self-report measure of assertiveness, this study documents assertiveness among institutionalized sex offenders.
Abstract
The inability to communicate openly, directly, honestly, and appropriately with others has been identified as a source of serious problems at work, school and home for the sex offender. However, in spite of the pervasiveness and importance of asserrtive problems, no assertiveness levels attributable to the treatment methods used in the western state hospital sex offender program (Wash.). Inset taking account of previous research (which is briefly reviewed), the study hypothesized that assertiveness scores would be significantly different for the following groups: (1) the pretreatment sample normative population, (2) the posttreatment sample and normative population, and (3) the pretreatment and posttreatment samples. The assertion inventory was administered to 94 male sex offenders: the pretreatment consisted of 50 offenders; the posttreatment sample consisted of 44 offenders. The normative population data were obtained from Gambrill and Richey (1975) and consisted of responses from 116 undergraduates from the University of California who were enrolled in social science classes. Respondents this is a guided self-help program that makes maximum use of peers to control and relearn social behavior in a group setting. In both the pretreatment and posttreatment samples were not required to identify themselves, and each took the inventory by himself in a private room. At test compared the samples with normative population. The results clearly indicate that graduates from the treatment program are more assertive than both a pretreatment sample a normative population. Data tables and 18 references are included. A copy of the Amertion Inventory is appealed.

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