Degree Name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Program

Psychology

Date of Award

8-2012

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Christopher S. Dula

Committee Members

William T. Dalton III, Jon R. Webb, Andrea D. Clements

Abstract

Sex offenses in the United States are a major public health concern. Attitudes toward sex offenders are generally very negative and to be officially identified as a sex offender brings on collateral consequences that reduce incentives not to reoffend. The extent to which attitudes toward sex offenders affect discriminatory behaviors and collateral consequences is not fully understood. The Sex Offender Attitude Scale was developed in an attempt to reliably and accurately measure attitudes and stigma toward sex offenders. Initial analyses indicated the SOAS was a reliable and valid instrument. This study aimed to provide additional evidence of the psychometric properties of the SOAS via statistical analyses, and findings supported this overarching goal. Future research and clinical implications are discussed.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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