Paraphilic Sexual Interests and Sexually Coercive Behavior: A Population-Based Twin Study

Prior research with selected clinical and forensic samples suggests associations between paraphilic sexual interests (e.g., exhibitionism and sexual sadism) and sexually coercive behavior. However, no study to date used a large, representative and genetically informative population sample to address the potential causal nature of this association. 

We used self-report data on paraphilic and sexually coercive behavior from 5990 18- to 32-year-old male and female twins from a contemporary Finnish population cohort. Logistic regression and co-twin control models were employed to examine if paraphilic behaviors were causally related to coercive behavior or if suggested links were confounded by familial (genetic or common family environment) risk factors. 

Results indicated that associations between four out of five tested paraphilic behaviors (exhibitionism, masochism, sadism, and voyeurism, respectively) and sexually coercive behavior were moderate to strong. Transvestic fetishism was not independently associated with sexual coercion. 

Comparisons of twins reporting paraphilic behavior with their paraphilic behavior-discordant twin further suggested that associations were largely independent of shared genetic and environmental confounds, consistent with a causal association. 

In conclusion, similar to previously reported predictive effects of paraphilias on sexual crime recidivism, paraphilic behavior among young adults in the general population increases sexual offending risk. Further, early identification of paraphilic interest and preventive interventions with at-risk individuals might also reduce perpetration of first-time sexual violence.

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By:  Baur E1,2, Forsman M3,4, Santtila P5, Johansson A5,6, Sandnabba K5, Långström N7,8.

• 1Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
• 2LWL-Maßregelvollzugsklinik, Herne, Germany.
• 3Swedish Prison and Probation Service, R&D Unit, PO Box 12055, 102 22, Stockholm, Sweden. mats.forsman@ki.se.
• 4Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. mats.forsman@ki.se.
• 5Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
• 6Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
• 7Swedish Prison and Probation Service, R&D Unit, PO Box 12055, 102 22, Stockholm, Sweden.
• 8Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 

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