The Effectiveness of a Psycho- Educative Group Programme Regarding Relationships in the Treatment of Sexual Offenders: A Preliminary Study

Purpose: At a high-security psychiatric hospital in the UK, the Understanding Intimacy and Relationships (URI) psycho-educative group therapy was developed in an attempt to provide a therapeutic input for interpersonal difficulties displayed by patients with sex offending history. This study aimed to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the URI group effectiveness for sex offenders. Design/Methods/Approach: A longitudinal study with three groups of participants - sex offenders (n = 9) and non-sex offenders (n = 9) that completed the URI group, and the control group (n = 10), which were assessed at two time points was conducted at a high-security psychiatric hospital. Each group filled out three questionnaires at both timepoints - IIP-C, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and ECR-R. Findings: The results suggest a decrease in feelings of loneliness for both groups of patients that completed the URI programme, and a limited reduction of interpersonal difficulties. Results of within-subject changes regarding interpersonal difficulties among patients in URI group did not statistically significantly differ from the result of the control group. Research Limitations/Implications: The most evident limitation of the study is a very small sample size and lack of objective measurement of patients' difficulties in interpersonal relations. Practical Implications: The findings suggest that the URI programme might have a limited effect on sex offenders due to the unsuccessful implementation of the Risk, Need, Responsivity Model, although several study limitations were present potentially affecting the outcome. Originality/Value: Longitudinal evaluation effectiveness of a clinical intervention for patients with sex offending history at a high-secure psychiatric hospital.