Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: This study will investigate how developmental experiences in childhood may predict sexual interest in children (SIC) reported by a community sample. A secondary analysis was conducted on the data collected during the Wurtele, Simons, and Moreno (2014) study assessing the sexual attitudes and behaviors of 435 adults (262 females and 173 males) aged 18 to 79 years. Predictor variables included a wide variety of childhood experiences found on the Childhood Experiences and Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ; Simons, Wurtele, & Durham, 2008). The relationship between predictor variables (e.g., poor parent-child attachment, adverse childhood experiences, and early sexual experiences) and the outcome variable (SIC) were explored using hierarchical multiple regression. For males, early sexual experiences contributed the most to the prediction of SIC scores; for females, insecure attachment and emotional abuse accounted for larger variance on SIC scores, than any other predictor. The hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that developmental predictor variables explained 16% of the variance in male SIC scores and 4% of the variance in female SIC scores, respectively. Theoretical implications of the findings for risk assessment and suggestions for prevention are discussed.
Author: Parker, Leah J.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2512253461