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Recent research highlights potential differences between groups of men sexually attracted to children regarding child molestation behavior, attitudes toward sex with children, and the decision not to act on their attractions. The present study furthered this line of research by investigating the roles of general self-regulation and prosocial support on the decision not to act among 69 men sexually attracted to children. Mixed-methods analysis of survey results provided mixed evidence regarding their relevance to refraining from engaging in child molestation behavior. Quantitative results suggested that self-control, but not prosocial support, showed a major influence on participants' decision not to act. Qualitative results offered a more nuanced understanding of the roles of both of these factors in participants' decisions. Overall, findings support an approach for investigating men sexually attracted to children that focuses on differences between men who do and do not act on their attractions, as well as on the active decision to refrain from engaging in child molestation behavior. Implications for research and clinical practice are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, sexual abuse prevention efforts have largely focused on tertiary prevention strategies designed to prevent recidivism among forensic samples of men with a history of sex offending behavior. The present study used mixed methodology to investigate the role of several forensic and related factors on the decision not to commit a sex offense among two groups of community men who self-reported a sexual attraction to children: those who reported a history of acting on their attractions (Acted, n = 29) and those who reported never acting on their attractions (Not Acted, n = 71). Participants from both groups described in their own words the factors that contributed to their decision not to act on their attractions. They also responded to quantitative and qualitative questions regarding the influence and role of the following factors on their decision not to act: (a) the possibility of jail or punishment, (b) mental health treatment, and (c) not wanting to hurt the child. Results were compared across groups, and across prompted and unprompted responses. Analyses highlighted harm to the child as a particularly salient factor in the decision not to act among men in the community at risk for sexually offending. The present study suggests that investigating potential protective factors may be an important direction for future research among samples of community men at risk for both first-time and repeat offenses against children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research including community samples of men suggests that sexual attraction to children, a significant risk factor for child sex-offending behaviour, may not be limited to forensic populations. The present study investigated proclivity for child molestation among two groups of community men: those who reported never acting on their sexual attractions (Not Acted) and those reporting at least one previous sexual encounter with a child (Acted). The Interest in Child Molestation Scale (Gannon & O'Connor, 2011) was found to be a reliable measure for use in a community sample of men with self-reported sexual attraction to children. Men in the Not Acted group reported less behavioural propensity towards low-force scenarios than did men in the Acted group. Overall, the research supports a distinction between sexual attraction towards children and the proclivity to engage in low-force child molestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the limited research available regarding bisexual individuals, there is some evidence to suggest this group may be subject to unique forms of prejudice within both heterosexual and lesbian/gay communities. To date, research in this area has relied on samples that do not reflect the diversity of the non-monosexual/plurisexual community. The present study explored the perceived experiences of anti-bisexual prejudice among a diverse group of self-identified bisexual, pansexual, queer and fluid adults (n = 235). Participants completed an online self-report survey containing 50-items concerning experiences and expressions of sexual orientation and gender identity. Results from the Anti-Bisexual Experiences Scale revealed bisexual participants reported more experiences of sexual prejudice from lesbian/gay individuals than did pansexual/queer/fluid participants. Exploratory analyses based on this finding revealed bisexual individuals also reported less subjective connection to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community than did pansexual/queer/fluid individuals. This factor, however, did not account for differences in experiences of sexual prejudice from lesbians/gay individuals. These findings challenge the grouping together of all plurisexual individuals under the labelbisexualand underscore the importance of interpersonal context in the experience of sexual prejudice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous qualitative research on traditional measures of sexual orientation raise concerns regarding how well these scales capture sexual minority individuals' experience of sexuality. The present research focused on the critique of two novel scales developed to better capture the way sexual and gender minority individuals conceptualize sexuality. Participants were 179 sexual minority (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual) individuals who identified as cisgender (n = 122) and transgender (n = 57). Participants first completed the new scales, then provided qualitative responses regarding how well each scale captured their sexuality. The Sexual-Romantic Scale enabled the measurement of sexual and romantic attraction to each sex independently (same-sex and other-sex). Participants resonated with the way the Sexual-Romantic scale disaggregated sexual and romantic attraction. Although cisgender monosexual (lesbian/gay) individuals positively responded to the separation of same- and other-sex attraction, individuals with either plurisexual (bisexual, pansexual, or fluid) or transgender identities found the binary conceptualization of sex/gender problematic. The Gender-Inclusive Scale incorporated same- and other-sex attraction as well as dimensions of attraction beyond those based on sex (attraction to masculine, feminine, androgynous, and gender non-conforming individuals). The incorporation of dimensions of sexual attraction outside of sex in the Gender-Inclusive Scale was positively regarded by participants of all identities. Findings indicate that the Sexual-Romantic and Gender-Inclusive scales appear to address some of the concerns raised in previous research regarding the measurement of sexual orientation among sexual minority individuals.