The Perceived Role of General Self-Regulation and Prosocial Support on the Decision Not to Act Among Men Sexually Attracted to Children

Abstract

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.