Most of the research conducted to date does not permit a clear identification of factors that predict sexual compared with nonsexual recidivism. Prominent characteristics and risk factors linked with JSO recidivism in the literature include failure to achieve treatment success or complete treatment, a family history of dysfunction, prior abuse or mistreatment, delinquent peer relations and behaviors, characteristics of the JSO offenses, deviant arousal and/or sexual maladjustment, and mental health diagnosis and defenses. What is missing from the research is a focus on factors linked to the successes of JSOs, i.e., factors related to resiliency. Resilience is generally defined as "a central notion of successfully coping with or overcoming risk and adversity or the development of competence in the face of severe stress and hardship" (Doll and Lyon, 1998). Resilience thus requires the existence of a significant risk or threat to the individual and the individual's high quality of adaptation or development despite the risk. In identifying general qualities that promote resilience the literature has focused on above average cognitive abilities and coping strategies, high self-esteem and self-efficacy, self-regulation of control, internal locus of control, faith, and biological hardiness. Research has also identified external factors associated with resiliency, such as socioeconomic status and family environment. Many internal factors associated with resiliency are addressed in existing JSO treatment, such as increasing self-esteem, self-regulation, and skill development. Family therapy and multisystemic therapy both encompass external factors such as family. 75 references