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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]

Deviant sexual fantasy is identified as a risk factor for sexual offending, yet no study has examined deviant sexual fantasy across the lifespan in nonoffending adult males. To bridge this gap, this study examined the frequencies of normative and deviant sexual fantasies among 318 nonoffending adult males in the United States. Participants were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk™. Participants took two inventories that assessed demographics and types of sexual fantasies. Normality tests, means tests, Kruskal–Wallis 1-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs), binary logistic regressions, and odds ratio post hoc analyses were conducted. Deviant sexual fantasies progressively declined across all three age groups, while normative sexual fantasy did not. Results suggest that deviant sexual fantasy changes across the lifespan. Applicability of the findings to applied settings, such as sexually violent predator evaluations, is discussed. Limitations and future considerations are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adults with pedophilic interests are often viewed by the public as a homogenous subgroup based on what we know from those who sexually offend against children. The stigma associated with child sexual abuse may serve to deter such behaviors but may also interfere with the person's stability and willingness to seek assistance in managing pedophilic interests. This article contrasts the sex offender response and prevention efforts typically employed in the U.S. (i.e., containment, registration, and notification policies and public education programs) with treatment programs aimed at preventing child sexual abuse in Germany, Belgium, and Canada. Five major areas are identified that should be further examined with regard to implementing preventative outreach and treatment programs in the U.S.: barriers to outreach and treatment programs, how to expand or reframe current preventative educational programs, implementation of such programs in light of current mandating reporting policies, promising treatment approaches for pedophilic interests among non-offenders, and ethical concerns relevant to preventative psychological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet has created unprecedented opportunities for adults and teenagers to explore their sexual identities, but it has also created new ways for the law to monitor and punish a diverse range of taboo sexual communication. A young mother loses custody of her two children due to sexually explicit Facebook conversations. A teenager is prosecuted for child pornography crimes after sending a naked selfie to her teenage boyfriend. An NYPD officer is convicted for conspiracy to kidnap several women based on conversations he had on a "dark fetish" fantasy website. In each of these cases, online sexual exploration and fantasy easily convert into damning evidence admissible in court. This Article reveals a widespread and overlooked pattern of harshly punishing individuals for exploring their sexual fantasies on the Internet. It shows, for the first time, that judges and juries have repeatedly conflated sexual fantasy with harmful criminal conduct, have largely been dismissive of fantasy-based defenses, and have relaxed evidentiary standards to prejudice individuals whose desires provoke disapproval or disgust. Even as celebrated decisions by the United States Supreme Court provide broader constitutional protection to sexual minorities, this Article shows that actual venues for exploring sexuality remain on the social and legal margins. Drawing from recent criminal law, family law, and First Amendment cases, this Article shows that courts have struggled to adapt free speech, privacy, and due process principles to the uncomfortable realities of the digital environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is defined as a deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty. The dysfunction cannot be better accounted for by another psychiatric disorder (except another sexual dysfunction) and must not be due exclusively to the physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition. HSDD occurs in approximately 1 in 10 adult women in the USA and its prevalence appears to be similar in Europe. A number of potential causative and contributory factors to low sexual desire have been identified, reflecting the interplay among hormonal, neurobiological, and psychosocial factors. One theory is that sexual desire is controlled in the brain by a balance between inhibitory and excitatory factors. In general, dopamine, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play an excitatory role in sexual desire, whereas serotonin, prolactin, and opioids play an inhibitory role. It is hypothesized that decreased sexual desire may be due to a reduced level of excitatory activity, an increased level of inhibitory activity, or both. A greater understanding of the complex pathophysiology of HSDD would improve the identification and management of women for whom low sexual desire is a concern. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sexual compulsivity (SC) is a condition characterized by sexual fantasies and behaviors that interfere with personal, interpersonal, or vocational pursuits. This article describes the ways in which gay and bisexual men with symptoms of SC understand and explain the origins of their condition. The data for this article were drawn from Project SPIN, a mixed-methods study of SC among 183 gay and bisexual men in New York City. The article provides an evaluation of how urban gay and bisexual men experience SC and describes how they think about it in their own words. These men articulated both intrinsic and extrinsic sources for the development of SC. Some participants endorsed a belief in a predisposition toward sexually compulsive behavior, whereas others identified factors such as emotional neglect, sexual abuse, or the availability and accessibility of sexual partners. These understandings may influence the ways in which SC can be treated, while also highlighting issues that may be critical in the identification and/or measurement of SC. Insights into the origins of SC may yield new therapeutic models that reduce not only the distress of contending with this condition but its negative health effects and impact on quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis gauges gender difference in time spent reading romance novels and sexuality. Respondents were 770 white American college students, including 436 females and 334 males, age 17-49. Males are viewed as a reference group. Drawing upon the "plastic sexuality" thesis and feminist theory, this study hypothesizes that female readers of romance novels have higher levels of interest in sexuality (at least in the attitudes) than male readers, and non-readers but such a sexual interest is not necessarily converted into a more active sexual behavior. Most romance novels promote deeply constraining patriarchal values, reading romance novels plays a role in shaping the meaning of the self, sexual identity and attitudes and behavior relative to this patriarchy. The results indicate that due to a higher degree of plastic sexuality, female readers of romance novels self-reported greater sex drive, and greater number or orgasms required for sexual satisfaction than male readers and female non-readers. However, female readers had fewer sex partners, and were older when they first thought about sex and had their first sexual intercourse. This pattern fits the Harlequin romance characterization: female readers nourish a fulfilling sex life in the context of idealistic monogamous faithfulness, while at the same time vividly satisfying desires and sexual fantasy through fabricated characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illustrates the standards and principles of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which protect sexual fantasy cases. Libel case filed by Kimerli Pring against Penthouse International Ltd.