Pedophilia is associated with lower sexual interest in adults: Meta-analyses and a systematic review with men who had sexually offended against children

Eveline E. Schippers*, Wineke J. Smid, Larissa M. Hoogsteder, Caroline H.M. Planting, Vivienne de Vogel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Sexual interest in children is an important factor contributing to sexual (re)offending against children. The current state of research makes it difficult to conclude if people with pedophilia are overly interested in children, or have lower interest in adults, or both. This is relevant knowledge in treatment for preventing sexual (re)of-fenses against children. This study aimed to systematically analyze sexual interest in both children and adults in samples of men with pedophilia and comparison groups. A total of 55 studies (N = 8465) were included in four meta-analyses and a systematic review. Most included studies considered people who had sexually offended against children (PSOC; nPSOC = 5213). Results indicated that PSOC with pedophilia did not have a clear sexual preference for either children or adults. Compared to comparison groups, they had more absolute sexual interest in children and lower sexual interest in adults. We conclude that the lack of sexual interest in adults may be a relevant factor in PSOC with pedophilia. More studies are needed to disentangle sexual interest in children from sexual interest in adults, while using carefully matched comparison groups and appropriate research designs.
Original languageEnglish
Article number101813
Number of pages21
JournalAggression and Violent Behavior
Volume69
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2023

Keywords

  • Pedophilia
  • Sexual offenses against children
  • Sexual preference
  • Sexual interest
  • Meta -analysis
  • Systematic review
  • VIEWING TIME
  • PARAPHILIC INTERESTS
  • CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY
  • SCREENING SCALE
  • BRAIN RESPONSE
  • SELF-REPORT
  • DEVIANT
  • STIMULI
  • MOLESTERS
  • AROUSAL

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