Self-reported sexual interest in children: sex differences and psychosocial correlates in a university sample.

A sample of 180 female and 99 male university students were surveyed regarding their sexual interest in children. Males reported sexual attraction to at least one child more often than did females (n = 22 [22.2%] and n = 5 [2.8%], respectively). Both males and females reported very low rates of sexual fantasies about children, masturbation to such fantasies, or potential likelihood of sexual contact with a child. Males' sexual attraction to children was associated with lower self-esteem, greater sexual conflicts, more sexual impulsivity, lower scores on the Socialization scale of the California Psychological Inventory, greater use of pornography depicting consenting adult sex, and more self-reported difficulty attracting age-appropriate sexual partners. Childhood victimization history and attitudes supporting sexual aggression did not discriminate self-reported sexual attraction to children.

Sex offending among juveniles: development and response.

This article provides the health care provider with information on normal and aberrant sexual activity in children. It examines the characteristics and risk factors associated with juvenile sex offending behaviors and summarizes treatment approaches taken with children who molest. The primary issues in determining when a child's sexual behavior is abusive include the absence of equality and consent and the presence of coercion. Other than the loss of a parental figure and the presence of emotional problems, few demographic or specific psychologic variables distinguish juvenile offenders for their nonoffending peers. Thus offenders typically come to the attention of health care providers indirectly through their victims.

Sexual fantasies, gender, and molestation history.

A total of 314 university students (107 males and 207 females) completed a questionnaire examining reports of childhood sexual abuse history and extent and type of adult sexual fantasies. Multivariate main effects of gender and abuse history were found, as well as a multivariate interaction between these variables. Males had more fantasies of forcing someone to have intercourse with them, participating in an orgy, and having sex with a stranger. Subjects with histories of sexual abuse had more sexual fantasies than their nonabused peers in four of five categories. Finally, sexually abused women reported more fantasies of being sexually forced than did women without sexual abuse histories or men regardless of molestation history. In several instances, fantasies correlated with especially early and extended abuse.