Running Head: PEDOPHILIC SEXUAL PREFERENCE

The present study addressed the question whether deviant sexual preferences for children can be considered a taxon utilizing data from a multi-method assessment battery. The test battery comprised direct self-report as well as indirect latency-based measures (Implicit Association Tests, viewing time) of deviant sexual preferences for children. In a mixed sample of adult men (N = 304, including sexual offenders against children, as well as sex offenders against adults, non-sex offender and non-offender controls), 27% of the offenders convicted for child sexual abuse or child pornography charges were identified as a homogeneous and distinct latent class. Additional taxometric analyses corroborated the notion of a pedophilic subgroup. Individuals in this pedophilic group showed elevated scores on measures of deviant sexual preference for children over adults. The offense histories of the individuals from the pedophilic cluster indicated an increased likelihood of pedophilic preference as assessed by a filebased summary index. We interpret the results as evidence for pedophilic sexual preference as a distinct and taxonic clinical construct.