Abstract
This study examined reasons for romantic and sexual relationships with adult partners among men with pedohebephilic preferences (N = 125). We also explored whether age sexual orientation impacted reasons for engaging in sex with adult partners. Pedohebephilic men endorsed both non-sexual and sexual reasons for engaging in adult-partnered relationships. The top reasons for sexual relationships with adult partners were pleasure, love and commitment, physical desirability, experience seeking, and practicality. The top reasons for romantic relationships with adult partners were to gain companionship, love toward romantic partner, to escape loneliness, to engage in sexual activities, and it seemed natural. The exclusivity of attraction to children was found to be significantly related to some of the factors. These findings support differential reasons for pedophilic men engaging in adult-partnered relationships. Professionals should seek to understand the nature of their clients’ relationships and age sexual orientation to determine whether such factors are relevant. Professionals can then support clients in their search for meaningful relationships.
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This research was supported in part by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship grant (752-2016-2380).
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This study was funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
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Mundy, C.L., Lewis, H.L. & Cioe, J.D. Romantic and Sexual Relationships with Adult Partners Among Pedohebephilic Men. Arch Sex Behav 51, 911–921 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02108-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02108-3