Effects of psychoeducation on attitudes towards individuals with pedophilic sexual intrusive thoughts

The present study was an examination of the impact of education on understanding of and attitudes towards individuals with pedophilic intrusive thoughts. Participants (N = 94) were randomly assigned to read a vignette about a target with intrusive pedophilic sexual thoughts they were told was diagnosed by a doctor as having 1) Pedophilia, 2) OCD, or 3) no diagnostic label. Participants were asked to provide their own diagnosis of the target and provide their attitudes towards the target as well. They were then given education about OCD and Pedophilia and asked to re-read the vignette, provide a diagnosis again, and provide their evaluations of the target again. Results indicated pre-education, participants rejected the OCD diagnosis and accepted the Pedophilia diagnosis, but after education the majority of participants shifted their perspective to endorsing the target had OCD. Those who switched to OCD demonstrated significantly improved attitudes towards the target as well. The present study demonstrates the misunderstanding of pedophilic sexual intrusive thoughts, but also the potential impact of even a brief education to correct misunderstandings and improve attitudes towards those with the thoughts.