JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Individuals who have committed sexual offenses against children often have difficulties finding treatment offers, despite its potential effectiveness. Although the development of web–based interventions could enhance therapeutic supply, up to now the acceptance thereof among this target group is unknown.

Objective:

For the first time, this study assesses the acceptance of a web–based intervention among individuals who committed sexual offenses against children and analyzes predictors that influence acceptance. Following the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), it is assumed that acceptance of web–based interventions in individuals who have committed sexual offences against children follows the same mechanisms as for individuals in general psychiatry.

Methods:

This cross–sectional study (N = 113, collected from March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022) is based on the data from an ongoing clinical trial (@myTabu) evaluating the effectiveness of a web–based intervention in individuals who committed sexual offenses against children. Participant eligibility required a) conviction for child abuse and/or use of child sexual exploitation material under the German Penal Code, b) a minimum age of 18 years, c) being in community supervision for 6 months or longer, d) having internet access, e) suffering from no severe acute psychiatric or cerebro–organic disorder, f) and no severe cognitive impairment. Acceptance level was measured using a questionnaire based on the UTAUT and modified for the target group. Furthermore, predictors of acceptance from the UTAUT (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence), attitude towards web–based interventions, and internet anxiety were assessed.

Results:

The mean (SD) acceptance level was overall high 3.78 (0.66). In a linear regression model, the predictors explained 41.2% of the variance (F11,101=9.055, P=.001). Attitude towards web–based interventions (B=.398, 95% CI 0.16-0.64, P=.001) and SI (B=.183, 95% CI 0.03-0.38, P=.04) had a significant influence on acceptance. Post hoc explorative analysis showed that the participant’s belief that people close to him or her would recommend use is a predictor of acceptance. In contrast the belief that his or her community supervisor would recommend use was not predictive in this respect.

Conclusions:

For the participants of this study we identified high acceptance of web–based interventions. Especially social influence and the participants attitude towards web–based interventions were important in predicting acceptance. In order to increase the acceptance of web–based interventions in forensic psychiatry, it may be important to focus on the pleasurable aspects of web–based interventions and additionally on the creation of a social environment which encourages use of web–based interventions. Clinical Trial: The data of this study are derived from the clinical trial DRKS 00021256, registered on April 24, 2020 in the German Clinical Trial Register.