The risk-related correlates & recidivism of victim age polymorphism : a meta-analysis

Abstract

Victim age polymorphism refers to individuals who sexually offend against victims in multiple age categories (e.g., both child and adult victims). Despite some findings that this group tends to be higher risk of recidivism than non-age polymorphic groups, the literature on victim age polymorphism and its association with risk-related correlates and recidivism is mixed. The present study used meta-analyses to examine the associations between victim age polymorphism and the two main risk-related correlates (atypical sexual interests, antisociality) and recidivism. Database searches retrieved 2,924 articles, resulting in the inclusion of 22 studies. Results revealed that victim age polymorphism was associated with the antisociality risk domain and violent recidivism. A small positive association with atypical sexual interests and sexual recidivism also emerged. Overall, individuals with offences that are victim age polymorphic appeared to share more clinically relevant similarities to individuals who target exclusively adults than to individuals who exclusively target children.