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Shin, Lee, Kim, Kim, and Song: Psychiatric and Psychological Characteristics of Sexual Offenders in Korea
Original Article
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2012; 51(4): 170-177.

Published online: 30 July 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.4.170

Psychiatric and Psychological Characteristics of Sexual Offenders in Korea

Kyong-Baek Shin, MD1, 2, Youngjoon Lee, PhD1, 2, Kyung Ran Kim, MD, PhD1, 2, Hyun-Chung Kim, MD3, Dong Ho Song, MD, PhD1, 2

1Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

3Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Dong Ho Song, MD, PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel +82-2-2228-1620, Fax +82-2-313-0891, dhsong@yuhs.ac

Received 15 February 2012       Revised 30 April 2012       Accepted 24 May 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Objectives

In an effort to increase understanding of the relationship between sexual violence and mental illness, we conducted an investigation of the prevalence of psychiatric illness and associated psychological features of sexual offenders.

Methods

Twenty-two male sex offenders were referred for psychiatric diagnosis from the prosecutor's office and admitted to the hospital between August 2010 and May 2011. In order to identify Axis I and II disorders, including sexual disorders, we conducted the Korean version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fourth Edition. All participants completed psychological assessment batteries, including the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and self-report scales, including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. Information on participants' legal, personal, and psychiatric family histories was also gathered.

Results

Many of the participants received diagnosis of Axis I disorders : Eight subjects (36.4%) had paraphilia, and five (22.7%) had pedophilia. Two subjects (9.1%) had schizophrenia, five (22.7%) had depressive disorder, and three (13.6%) had alcohol dependence. Participants also showed high rates of Axis II disorders : four of them (18.2%) had mental retardation or borderline intellectual functioning and seven (31.8%) had cluster B personality disorders. Participants' serum free testosterone level showed statistically significant correlation with motor impulsiveness (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Sex offenders included in this study displayed high rates of mental illness, including paraphilia and intellectual disability. On the basis of our findings, we asserted that sex offenders should undergo careful evaluation for mental illness, and that management programs for sex offenders should include psychiatric evaluation and intervention.

Keywords: Sex offender, Paraphilia, Pedophilia, Rape myth, Mental illness

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Demographic and clinical characteristics of participants (n=22)
jkna-51-170-i001

Data are presented as mean (M)±standard deviation (SD) or number (percentage within group). IQ : Intelligence quotient, FSH : Follicle-stimulating hormone, LH : Luteinizing hormone

Table 2
Psychiatric diagnosis of sexual offenders (n=22)
jkna-51-170-i002

BIF : Borderline intellectual functioning

Table 3
Impulsivity, anger and rape myth acceptance of participants* (n=20)
jkna-51-170-i003

* : Two participants were excluded due to inability to complete self-report (hearing difficulty), † : Barratt's impulsiveness scale, ‡ : State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. SD : Standard deviation, M : Mean

Table 4
Correlation among testosterone levels and psychological characteristics
jkna-51-170-i004

* : Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed), † : Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)

Table 5
Comparison of recidivism group and non-recidivism group
jkna-51-170-i005

p value : Calculated by Student's t-test. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (percentage within group). * : Two participants were excluded due to inability to complete self-report (hearing difficulty). IQ : Intelligence quotient, FSH : Follicle-stimulating hormone, LH : Luteinizing hormone

Table 6
Comparison of against-children group and against-adult group
jkna-51-170-i006

Data are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (percentage within group). * : Two participants were excluded due to inability to complete self-report (hearing difficulty). IQ : Intelligence quotient, FSH : Follicle-stimulating hormone, LH : Luteinizing hormone

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