The mediating role of psychopathology in the emergence of deviant sexual fantasies in sexual aggressors of children

Hostility toward women is frequently examined as a risk factor for sexual or physical aggression against women, but it is also associated with other violent offenses. However, despite its relevance, research on the etiology of this misogynistic attitude is lacking. Thus, the aim of our study is to explore the effect of developmental and psychological factors on hostility toward women and cognitive distortions associated with it. Partially inspired by Malamuth’s (1996) confluence model of sexual aggression, we will investigate the mediating role of “hostile masculinity” (i.e., personality characteristics associated with callousness and antisociality) and “emotional negativity” (i.e., depressive and anxious emotional experiences) in a multifactorial model of hostility toward women. We tested our etiological model on a Canadian sample of sexual aggressors of women (n=200), using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicated the presence of several pathways from childhood victimization leading to hostility toward women through hostile masculinity and emotional negativity. Findings will be discussed along with their theoretical implications.

Several researchers have found that sexual aggressors have inadequate coping strategies (e.g., sexual fantasies, substance use). However, very few researchers have empirically examined the theoretical factors considered to be at the origin and involved in the development of these. In 2011, Roberto Maniglio hypothesized that the inadequate coping strategies of sexual aggressors are the result of childhood abuse mediated by internalized psychological problems. The present study therefore aims to empirically test this hypothesis in a Canadian sample of 206 sexual aggressors of women. Among the offenders, 37 killed their victims. Based on an analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM), we identified several direct and indirect trajectories from childhood victimization (psychological, physical and sexual abuse) to the development of inadequate coping strategies (deviant sexual fantasies, alcohol, drugs), through internalized psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, social isolation). These developmental trajectories leading to the adoption of inadequate coping strategies, and their theoretical implications, will be discussed during the presentation.