Understanding how protective factors against sexual offending cohere: a factor analysis of the SAPROF-SO pilot items

Several studies have examined the factor structure of dynamic risk assessment tools for sexual recidivism, yet the factor structure of protective factor instruments is less well understood. Factor analysis clarifies which items cluster together empirically, offering insight into the categories of clinical need a tool assesses. The current study is the first published factor analysis of the Structured Assessment of PROtective Factors against Sexual Offending (SAPROF-SO) pilot items. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on a composite sample of cases recruited from prison and community-based SAPROF-SO pilot sites (N = 614). A six-factor solution provided the best fit. Resulting factors were labelled Resilience, Adaptive Sexuality, Prosocial Connection & Reward, External Control, Response to Treatment, and Economic Stability. We discuss the alignment of results with the SAPROF-SO Version 1 and domains identified by dynamic risk instruments, alongside implications for using protective factor instruments like the SAPROF-SO to help inform strengths-based intervention planning.PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT This paper reports on a factor analysis of the Structured Assessment of PROtective Factors against Sexual Offending (SAPROF-SO) pilot items. We identified six factors which overlap and expand on factors underlying dynamic risk assessment instruments. Clinical implications for the selection of dynamic risk and/or protective factor instruments are discussed.