Abstract
Adolescent sexual offenders (ASOs) were compared with conduct-disordered youth (CDs) and control adolescents (CAs) on measures of stress, coping, problem behavior, and cognitive distortions. CDs scored higher than ASOs on socialized aggression, aggressive coping, avoidance coping, and coping by engaging in sexual behavior. Measures of coping and problem behaviors successfully classified approximately 80% of ASOs and CDs. ASOs and CDs were similar to each other and higher than CAs on negative automatic thoughts, coping by seeking diversions and being with friends, and problem behaviors including hyperactivity, anxiety, and conduct disorder. Reports of daily stress were similar for all groups, suggesting that clinical groups coped less adequately despite similar stressors.
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