SUMMARY :
The identification of a specific profile in individuals with sexual aggression
and/or deviance may be useful in the assessment and treatment process, as well
as in the evaluation of reoffending risk. The aim of the present study was to
investigate the personality dimensions, as they described by Cloninger, as well
as their interrelations with the levels of impulsivity, aggression, and suicidality,
in individuals who have been convicted for rape or child molestation.
In both rapists and child molesters, Novelty Seeking, as well as aggression,
impulsiveness, and suicidality scores were significantly higher, while reward-dependence,
self-directedness, and cooperativeness scores were significantly lower, as compared
to the controls.
Both rapists and child molesters show a common personality profile characterized
by impulsiveness, purposelessness and lack of empathy. However, the association
of aggressive behavior with novelty seeking in the group of rapists and with
suicidality in the group of child molesters may suggest that aggression, in
these sex offender groups, derives from different origin and expresses through
different pathways.