Military Influences on Personality Characteristics of Sexual Offenders: An Examination of PAI Scale Scores

Abstract

To date there is a lack of research looking at the influence of military background on sexual offending. The current study utilized retrospective data from a sample of sexual offenders referred for evaluation at a sex offender treatment facility in Oregon. The study participants were divided into two groups: those who endorsed prior military involvement and those who did not. A MANOVA was used to examine possible differences in scores on four scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI): Anxiety, Antisocial, Aggression, and Stress. Although the results were non-significant, this study marks an important point in research with sexual offenders by noting possible influences of military involvement on sexual offending.