A Systematic Review of Measures of Deviant Sexual Interest and Arousal

Abstract

The focus of this review is the measurement of deviant sexual arousal in men who have committed sexual offences, with a view to find the most effective at assessing current sexual interest. A comprehensive review of the available literature was undertaken in line with guidelines into best practice. The main body of this article provides a systematic overview of measures of sexual arousal and sexual interest, in terms of physiological and cognitive measures. The strengths and limitations of these are discussed with consideration to cost and application of each. It is concluded that there is a need for a psychometric measure of current sexual interest; and that using a combination of measures that assess all aspects of sexual arousal is most effective, and mean it would be less open to faking responses.

Key words:

• assessment of deviant sexual interest
• measures of sexual interest
• sexual arousal

Acknowledgements

Thanks to those who helped to compile this review, particular thanks to Raymond Knight, Michael Seto, Patrice Renaud and Michael O'Connell.