Factors associated with attrition from psychological, evidence-based interventions for adult men with prior convictions for sexual offence/s: a systematic review

Men convicted of sexual offences who do not complete treatment are more likely to reoffend than those who do not engage in treatment at all. The review updates a prior review by examining evidence on treatment non-completion (TNC) amongst adult men convicted of sexual offences. The review explores the factors associated with TNC and summarises the evidence on the relationship between TNC and recidivism. Studies were identified by searching electronic databases, examining reference lists, citation searching, and contacting experts. The review included 21 studies published between 2011 and 2025 assessed as fair to good quality. The data were synthesised narratively to identify key themes. Findings suggest that treatment non-completion may be related to criminal versatility, with more heterogeneous men convicted of sexual offences less likely to complete treatment. Furthermore, it was found that treatment non-completion is associated with general recidivism, but not sexual recidivism. Preliminary findings support the importance of working responsively with high-risk, high-need men convicted of sexual offences and promoting engagement and motivation to complete treatment. The strengths and limitations of the review are discussed, and implications for research and practice are outlined.