Psychopathy among pedophilic and nonpedophilic child molesters

ObjectiveAmong men who commit sexual offenses against children, at least 2 distinct groups can be identified on the basis of the age of the primary targets of their sexual interest; pedophiles and nonpedophiles.MethodIn the present report, across 2 independent samples of both types of child molesters as well as controls, a total of 104 men (53 pedophilic and 51 nonpedophilic) who had sexually offended against a child age 13 or younger were compared to each other (and to 49 non-sex offender controls) on psychopathy as assessed by the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI).ResultsIn both samples of child molesters, the nonpedophiles scored as significantly more psychopathic than the pedophiles.ConclusionsThese results provide further evidence of the importance of distinguishing between these groups of offenders.