Development of the Attitudes Toward Partners of People Who Have Sexually Offended Questionnaire

Bibliographic Data

ID21292437
AuthorsLea C Kamitz (0000-0003-1290-5088, University of Kent, corresponding author), Theresa A Gannon (0000-0002-5810-4158, University of Kent)
Year2026
Volume55
Issue1
Pages211-233
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchives of Sexual Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0004-0002 • E-ISSN: 1573-2800
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10508-025-03258-4
PMID41405734
OpenAlexW4417436244
LanguageEN
References cited47

Non-offending partners of those who have sexually offended face severe negative consequences in the aftermath of an offense, many of which are directly linked to their negative interactions with others—including intervening agencies. Despite this, the only available measure of attitudes toward non-offending partners has several shortcomings and, as a result, attitudes toward non-offending partners are underexamined. The current research aimed to address this issue by using the input of Criminal Justice System-adjacent professionals, non-offending partners, and the general public to create a scale measuring Attitudes toward Partners of People who had Sexually Offended. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that attitudes toward non-offending partners had four underlying dimensions: (1) Judgement of non-offending partners’ relationship decision-making, (2) behavioral intent toward non-offending partners, (3) judgement of non-offending, and (4) shaming of non-offending partners. Subsequent studies validated the scale using confirmatory factor analysis, psychometric evaluations, and construct and criterion-related validity assessments. Here, we also found that professionals working for the police and social services held more favorable attitudes toward non-offending partners (i.e., score lower on the measure), than a general population sample, and that negative attitudes toward non-offending partners predicted intent to discriminate—but not behavioral aggression—toward this group. These findings are discussed, alongside the limitations of this research, in light of their implications and while considering avenues for future research

Confirmatory factor analysis · Construct (python library) · Construct validity · Exploratory factor analysis · Judgement · Poison control · Population · Public health · Scale (ratio) · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies

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