Citation

Ward T. J. Sex. Aggress. 2000; 5(2): 118-133.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13552600008413303

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Models of the relapse process set out to provide a rich description of the cognitive, behavioural, motivational and contextual factors associated with a sexual offence. Theory at this level typically includes an explicit temporal factor and focuses on proximal causes or the "how" of sexual offending. Both Marian's original relapse prevention model and Pithers' adaptation of it for sexual offenders are based on a particular view of the relapse process. In this approach, relapse is essentially caused by an inability to cope effectively with high risk situations. While this influential perspective has contributed greatly to the treatment of sexual offenders, it suffers from a number of conceptual and empirical problems. This paper critiques Pithers' models of the relapse process and presents a self-regulation model that is able to deal with these problems, and account for the diversity of relapse pathways.