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Cited by 17Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologySexual Assault and Victimization Studies

High risk sexual fantasies and sexual offending: An overview of fundamentals and interventions

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Rossegger, Astrid, Bartels, Ross M., Endrass, Jérôme, Borchard, Bernd, Singh, Jay P.·2021·Sexual Offending: Theory, Research, and Prevention
DOI 10.5964/sotrap.5291
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Abstract

Although deviant sexual fantasizing has been found to be an etiological factor for sexual offending, not all deviant sexual fantasies increase risk equally. The aim of the present overview is to provide readers with an introduction to key terminology, a primer on central clinical theories, and a summary of the research literature on “high risk” sexual fantasies over the past 50 years. First, the important difference between “sexual fantasy” and “sexual fantasizing” is described. Second, the link between sexual fantasizing and sexual offending is discussed, with a focus on principle moderators such as physiological reaction, personality profile, and offense-supportive beliefs. Third, the different methods used to assess sexual fantasies are discussed. Fourth, the principles and techniques behind four evidence-based approaches to treating “high risk” sexual fantasies are discussed: (1) the behavioral approach, (2) the cognitive approach, (3) the imagination approach, and (4) the mindfulness-based approach. Finally, a call is issued for practice-based quantitative and qualitative research to further explore this clinical phenomenon. The findings of such investigations would advance the field’s understanding of assessment, management, and monitoring best practices for this important forensic population.

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  • Repeated fantasy can strengthen the tendency to enact it in behavior.

    “It appears that, given appropriate circumstances, repeated fantasy can strengthen the tendency to enact it in behavior, (Rossegger et al., 2021).”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Rossegger et al., 2021

  • In people with problematic sexuality and where the fantasy is sexually arousing and hedonically positive, there is a tendency to enact in behavior the content of the fantasy.

    “In people with problematic sexuality and where the fantasy is sexually arousing and hedonically positive, there is a tendency to enact in behavior the content of the fantasy (Rossegger et al., 2021).”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Rossegger et al., 2021

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Rossegger, A., Bartels, R. M., Endrass, J., Borchard, B., & Singh, J. P.
Affiliations
  • University of Konstanz (DE)
  • University of Lincoln (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Sexual Offending: Theory, Research, and Prevention
Publisher
Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID)
Published
2021-06-15
Volume
16
ISSN
2699-8440 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.5964/sotrap.5291
OpenAlex
W3170886119
Cited by
17
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3
FWCI
1.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Sexual Offending Theory Research and Prevention (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Lincoln Repository (University of Lincoln) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PsychOpen Gold (Leibniz Institute for Psychology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Psychology Archives (cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Keywords
sexual offending, behavior therapy, cognitive intervention, mindfulness-based interventions, physiological arousal, personality profiles

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