Reliability and Validity of the ARMIDILO-S in Sex Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background The ARMIDILO-S is advocated as a promising tool for assessing dynamic risk factors in sex offenders with intellectual disabilities (SOIDs). However, research remains scarce. The present study aimed to further validate this instrument in SOIDs. Method The study prospectively followed 38 SOIDs for up to one year to test the accuracy of the ARMIDILO-S in predicting violent and sexual incidents. Results Overall predictive accuracy was moderate to high. The ARMIDILO-S further showed excellent prospective qualities in identifying both high-risk and low-risk offenders for violence. Regarding sexual offending, it was only good at prospectively detecting low-risk individuals. Conclusions This study provided further evidence of the good predictive validity of the ARMIDILO-s in predicting future sexual and violent incidents in SOIDs. More research in preferably larger samples as well as field validity studies are recommended.