Mental disorders and DSM-IV paedophilia in 185 subjects convicted of sexual child abuse |
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| Authors: | Anita Carlstedt Sune Innala Agneta Brimse Henrik Söderström Anckarsäter |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, G?teborg University, G?teborg, Swedenanita.carlstedt@rmv.se;3. Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, G?teborg University, G?teborg, Sweden;4. Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Malm? University Hospital, Malm?, Sweden |
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| Abstract: | The objective of this study was to explore how sexual child abusers who meet the DSM-IV criteria for paedophilia differ from those who do not. We studied DSM-IV disorders and paedophilic interests in all cases of sexual child abuse referred to forensic psychiatric investigation in Sweden between 1993 and 1997 (n=185). Frequency and severity of other mental disorders did not differ between subjects with and without DSM-IV paedophilia. However, men with paedophilia had more previous paedophilia convictions, same-sex and younger victims and less often intoxicated status when committing the act. The concept of paedophilia as a mental disorder is not supported by the DSM-IV diagnosis, which primarily describes the acting out of attraction. |
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| Keywords: | Comorbidity Forensic psychiatry Paedophilia Sexual child abuse |
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