Citation

Nunes KL, McPhail IV, Babchishin KM. J. Sex. Aggress. 2012; 18(3): 284-293.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13552600.2010.549243

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We examined the extent to which sexual offenders against children (SOC) differ from men who do not offend against children (non-SOC) on social anxiety. In study 1, 30 SOC and 31 non-sex offenders (NSO) were compared on a self-report measure of social anxiety (Social Avoidance and Distress Scale; SADS). SOC and NSO had virtually identical levels of social anxiety. In study 2, we conducted a meta-analysis of existing comparisons of SOC with various non-SOC groups on the SADS. SOC were generally more socially anxious than non-SOC. These findings suggest that the average SOC is more socially anxious than the average male who does not sexually offend against children. It remains unclear, however, whether social anxiety plays a causal role in the initiation of child sexual abuse.