Demographic and personality characteristics of internet child pornography downloaders in comparison to other offenders

J Child Sex Abus. 2009 Nov;18(6):611-22. doi: 10.1080/10538710903317232.

Abstract

This research study was conducted to map out the demographic and psychological aspects of Internet child pornography offenders. The backgrounds, characteristics, and MMPI profiles of 22 Internet child pornography offenders were statistically compared to those of 112 perpetrators of other offenses. In comparison to the other sexual offenders, the Internet child pornography offenders turned out to be significantly younger on average, were single and lived alone in most cases, and more often appeared to have no children of their own. It should be noted that the variables of age, being single, living alone, and not having children are associated to one another. Furthermore, no specific MMPI profile was found for Internet child pornography offenders compared to other sexual offenders.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Child
  • Demography
  • Erotica*
  • Forensic Psychiatry / methods
  • Humans
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data*
  • MMPI
  • Male
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Personality Disorders / psychology
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data*