The Reality of Paraphilic Interests and Engagement in a Community Sample

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Paraphilias are deviant sexual interests, and due to these, some individuals may engage in illegal behavior (i.e., nonconsensual sexual acts, sex with a minor). Despite the potential consequences of individuals acting on these interests, the prevalence of those who endorse and subsequently act on their paraphilias is understudied. This study examined the prevalence of those who endorsed having acted on these “illegal paraphilias.” Participants included 2,292 adults who resided in the U.S. and were recruited through Prolific. They completed an online self-report survey about sexual interests/behaviors. Participants were predominantly White and heterosexual, and split between males and females. Participants endorsed experiencing four paraphilias in the past 6 months: voyeurism (n=398; 74%), exhibitionism (n=52; 10%), frotteurism (n=72; 13%), and pedophilia (n=17; 3%). Of those who endorsed the interests, 37% (n=19) engaged in an exhibitionistic behavior, followed by frotteuristic (n=17; 24%), voyeuristic (n=68; 17%), and pedophilic (n=2; 12%) behaviors. The results of this study show that while many individuals that endorse illegal paraphilias do not actively engage in these behaviors, there are some paraphilias that often result illegal behaviors (i.e., exhibitionism). Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Sarah Allana Baker, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Frances Newman, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Caitlin Krause, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Georgia Winters, Fairleigh Dickinson University