Latent profile analyses of offense and personality characteristics in a sample of incarcerated female sexual offenders

This study examines characteristics of 90 female sexual offenders based on offense and personality traits. The study uses latent profile analysis to identify groups of female sex offenders who are similar to one another and different from participants in other groups. Results using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) indicate that there were three classes of offenders that differed with respect to the severity of their psychopathology. Upon analysis of predictors such as demographic information, offense characteristics, selected Trauma Symptom Inventory scores, Static-99 scores, abuse history, and PAI supplemental scales, several factors predicted group membership. These included marital status, sexual abuse in adulthood, and interpersonal relationship styles. Implications for assessment and treatment of female sex offenders are discussed.