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Overview of the
FoSOD The FoSOD Scale is a tool that has been designed to measure different types and degrees of denial evidenced by child molesters. The FoSOD measures variables that comprise the multiple domains of denial that are likely to interfere with treatment outcomes. The FoSOD represents an important development in the treatment of sexual offenders with its ability to measure, monitor, and distinguish a variety of forms of denial that are present throughout treatment. The FoSOD provides a unique window into the offender's perceived level of accountability for his or her abusive behavior. Despite the widespread presence of denial by sexual offenders (Maletzky, 1991; Barbaree, 1991), and its potential importance as a within treatment dynamic factor likely to influence treatment outcome (Barbaree, 1997; Hanson, 1997), empirical studies examining its amenability to treatment have been limited. Studies have relied on clinical ratings or indirect measures of denial, and have focused on only global changes with little attention to specific changes along various dimensions of denial. This has been due in large part to the absence of a psychometrically sound measure of denial (Maletzky, 1991). The development of the FoSOD was driven largely by a concern that previous procedures designed to assess denial among child molesters lacked demonstrable reliability and validity. In addition, there has been little information available to establish the relationship among prevailing assessment measures, or to link these measures to the more qualitative clinical formulations of denial found in the literature. Despite these obstacles to understanding denial in child molesters, there remains an ever-present need to develop and establish clinical judgments, treatment interventions, and social policy decisions concerning sexual offenders. A systematic understanding of the various roles of denial within the treatment context would substantially improve the effectiveness of these judgments, interventions, and decisions. Our goal has been to operationalize clinical formulations of denial, and empirically establish a psychometrically sound measure of denial. Our intention was to provide a valid and reliable measure that would increase our understanding of the many functions and manifestations of denial. This would allow us to examine assumptions currently held about denial, to explore how denial compromises treatment effectiveness, and to generate additional research based on an empirically sound measurement instrument. Next: Re-conceptualizing Denial |
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