Research examining the differences between child sex abusers and non-abusers has found significant overlap as well. The heterogeneity of child sexual molesters makes identification of them difficult, according to a Ball State University team, which developed a "profile" analysis of personality characteristics of child molesters using the MMPI-2 (Jl Clin Psychology, Vol. 53(6), 575-586 (1997)).

The present study sought to replicate previous cluster analysis studies using the MMPI2 and also to examine the relationship between subgroups and progress in treatment. Subjects were 90 adult males found guilty of sexual molestation of a child aged 16 or younger. The subjects were studied in three ways. First, a discriminant function analysis was conducted to evaluate how well the

MMPI-2 would distinguish child molesters from controls. Hit rates of 81% and 88% were found for clinical scales alone and the clinical and supplemental scales, respectively. Higher hit rates were found with the MMPI-2 than previous efforts with the MMPI.

When followed in treatment, all subgroups achieved significant progress ratings and no significant difference in treatment progress was found between clusters. It appears from the data that all types of offenders are capable of profiting from treatment, but comparisons of amount or rate of improvement between the various personality types has not been supported by research findings.

The percentages suggest this test can contribute to profiling, but may not have the accuracy to be applicable to criminal proceedings. In and of itself, the MMPI-2 is not a foolproof instrument in identifying the profile of child molesters, but it can support other available data.