Potential dynamic protective factors for sex offending: a mixed methods analysis of the decision not to act among men sexually attracted to children

Abstract

Little is known regarding the differences between offending and non-offending men who are sexually attracted to children. Understanding the differences between these groups is a crucial first step in developing models of protective influences for sexual offending. The following potential dynamic protective factors were proposed based on empirically validated, known risk factors: pro-social support, intimacy strengths, sexual self-regulation, and general self-regulation. Mixed-methods analysis of survey results from 69 men sexually attracted to children supported the conceptualization of these characteristics as potential protective factors for sex offending. Exploratory quantitative analysis of participant ratings of the influence of each factor on the decision not to act revealed men sexually attracted to children with and without a history of sex offending behavior are similar in a number of ways. Directed thematic analysis of qualitative survey items revealed important differences between groups regarding the role of each factor in participants' decisions not to act.