Sexual fantasies of child molesters.

Abstract

A structured interview was used to collect data concerning the mood preceding and accompanying sexual fantasies, and the way in which the other person in the fantasy was perceived by 21 child molesters, 19 rapists, and 19 non-sexual offenders, all incarcerated in federal prisons. For the child molesters, fantasies about both children and adults were examined. It was found that child molesters did not differ from the other groups in terms of their perceptions of adults in their fantasies, and the adult fantasy was perceived more positively than the child fantasy. Child molesters were more likely to fantasize about children when in a negative emotional state than when in a positive mood, and these fantasies were likely to produce a negative mood state. It is suggested that child molesters may fantasize about a child as an inappropriate way of coping with dysphoric moods, thus enhancing that dysphoria and leading to further inappropriate fantasies. These results suggest that sexual fantasy monitoring should become an important component in the treatment of child molesters. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 1995. Copyright © 1995 by the Canadian Psychological Association) Child Molester Child Abuse Offender Child Sexual Abuse Offender Sexual Assault Offender Rape Offender Sexual vs. Nonsexual Offender Child Molestation vs. Rape Adult Offender Adult Male Adult Violence Adult Inmate Inmate Studies Offender Characteristics Fantasy Juvenile Offender Juvenile Male Juvenile Inmate Juvenile Violence Male Offender Male Inmate Male Violence 02-02

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