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University-based sexual aggression is an international public health issue; however, to date, there have been no formal assessments of the prevalence or psychological indicators associated with the proabuse behaviors of the most common perpetrators at UK universities: heterosexual male students. To facilitate the development of effective primary prevention interventions for domestic students who have sexually harmed, we assess across two empirical studies (N s = 259 and 295) the psychological risk factors associated with recent sexual aggression amongst two distinct samples of UK male university students. Cumulatively, results highlighted that one in nine participants (11.4%) self-reported recent sexual aggression. These participants could be statistically differentiated from their non-offending peers on various established indicators of general sexual offending, of which logistic regression analyses highlighted atypical sexual fantasies, general aggression, hostility toward women, and rape myth acceptance as being the most reliable predictors. Our data extend the international evidence base by providing the first detailed overview of sexual aggression amongst UK male university students, as well as the psychological risk factors associated with their proabuse behaviors. We discuss the importance of our findings for the development of more effective evidence-based reduction strategies and primary prevention interventions for male students who have sexually harmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, no measures of sexual fantasies and behaviors have been tested using modern structural equation modeling techniques. A total of 4,280 adults from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Ireland completed a measure of diverse (paraphilic and normophilic) sexual fantasies and behaviors. Data were randomly split in half for a two-part analysis. First, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to reduce the item pool and determine general factor structure. Second, we tested several models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). These were followed by tests of measurement invariance (based on sex and sexual orientation) and criterion validity. For both the fantasies and behaviors, bifactor ESEMs were the most appropriate models. Similar specific factors emerged: (a) normophilia, (b) rough sex, (c) interest of intrusion, (d) assuming power, and (e) relinquishing power. Findings suggest that sexual interests show a hierarchical measurement structure. Males and nonheterosexuals had higher general fantasy scores; nonheterosexuals had higher general behavior scores. Heterosexuals generally scored lower than nonheterosexuals. Fantasy and behavior scores were positively related to Dark Triad traits and sociosexuality, and there were weak or no relationships with depression and anxiety. Results support the psychometric validation of the Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Inventory. Strengths of this study include a large nonclinical sample with relevant psychological correlates and the use of modern psychometric methods. However, the use of an internet sample with self-report measures may be unrepresentative, although the internet has the advantage of being able to recruit from stigmatized groups. Public Significance Statement: We developed a measure of sexual fantasies and behaviors using modern statistical analyses and results supported its test score validity in a large nonclinical convenience sample of people from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Ireland. Both fantasy and behavior measures showed paraphilic and non-paraphilic ("normophilic") factors and a general factor, with higher scores being related to being male and nonheterosexual, having higher psychopathic traits, and increased sociosexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes how a sample of six psychosexual therapists regard the use of sexual fantasy in their work with couples presenting with sexual dysfunctions. The study used a qualitative approach, adopting a thematic analysis to explore the common threads in the therapists’ experiences. Five themes emerged from analysis: The importance of fantasizing, Help with fantasizing, Accepting fantasies, Assessing disclosure of fantasies and Partner replacement fantasies as necessary. The research highlights the importance of an informal attachment assessment of the partners before the introduction of fantasy. It also briefly considers the possibilities of an approach to “fantasy training” that takes into account how Schnarch’s concept of “differentiation” might help to promote personal growth and couple intimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on the Sadistic Murderer Syndrome in Great Britain. Etiology of sadistic sexual fantasy; Accounts on the initiation of sadistic fantasy; Comparison of offender and offense characteristics of sexually sadistic criminals.

A search of Home Office records was completed for all 80 restricted hospital order inpatients with schizophrenia, resident in any hospital in England and Wales during May 1997, with an index conviction for a contact sex offence against a woman committed whilst psychotic. Almost one quarter of the men (19) had aggressive sexual fantasies at the time of their index offences and in 13 of these men the fantasy was sadistic in nature. Men with aggressive sexual fantasies were more likely to have a history of sexual offending before the onset of schizophrenia, when compared with men without such fantasies; and more likely to have evidence of disturbed and adverse childhood experiences as indicated by a range of childhood variables, again when compared with men without such fantasies. However, controlling for other variables, only childhood social isolation and childhood deviant sexual behaviour remained significantly associated with future presence of aggressive sexual fantasy at the time of the index sex offence. A thorough examination of fantasy life should be regarded as being an important component of a comprehensive assessment and treatment programme for psychotic sex offenders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]