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DSM-IV Paraphilia: Descriptions, Demographics and Treatment Interventions

NCJ Number
240711
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2012 Pages: 527-539
Author(s)
Anthony R. Beech; Leigh Harkins
Date Published
December 2012
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article discusses each of the definitions for paraphilia as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and presents information on Paraphilic Coercive Disorder, a paraphilic description of rape.
Abstract
An overview and demographic description of each of the current DSM-IV-TR paraphilias (i.e., Pedophilia, Transvestic Fetishism, Exhibitionism, Fetishism, Voyeurism, Sexual Masochism, Frotteurism, Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified) are provided. Most of these are medical descriptions of sexual offenses. Discussion is provided regarding a paraphilic description of rape (i.e., Paraphilic Coercive Disorder) that may appear in DSM-5. The effectiveness of current treatments (behavioral, cognitive-behavioral therapy, chemical/physical castration; and the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) for each of these paraphilias is examined. It was found that there are too few well-designed studies to provide support for evidence-based practice with any of the paraphilias, based on Chambless and Hollon (1998) criteria (i.e., evidence should be based on: two + well conducted studies/two + independent researchers, three + small experiments reporting data from at least nine participants). It is suggested that more high quality research studies need to be conducted into the treatment of paraphilias. This work is contrasted with the growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of sex offender treatment for child molesters and exhibitionists (typically without a paraphilic diagnosis); current evidence is equivocal regarding the efficacy of treatment for rapists. (Published Abstract)

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