Sex Differences in Stigma Reduction toward Minor Attracted Persons (MAPs) via Contact Interventions

Authors

  • Jessica P. Gaudette

    Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5, Canada
  • Margo C. Watt

    Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5, Canada;

    Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
  • Christopher J. Lively

    Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v6i3.6364
Received: 10 April 2024 | Accepted: 15 May 2024 | Published Online: 30 July 2024

Abstract

Individuals who are sexually attracted to children (i.e., people with pedophilic interests or minor-attracted persons; MAPs) can, and do, live offence-free. Stigmatization and fear of conviction, however, can prevent MAPs from accessing appropriate support and treatment. Previous researchers compared the impact of two interventions – narrative humanization vs. scientific information-in reducing stigma towards people with pedophilic interests and found the former to be more effective. Using freely available secondary data, the present study replicated and extend this previous research by directly examining sex differences on impact of the two interventions. As predicted, females (vs. males) held more negative and stigmatic attitudes towards sex offenders at baseline and, while both interventions showed a positive impact on these negative attitudes, the impact was greater for females. Results are discussed in terms of reducing stigma regarding MAPs by positioning the issue in the public health domain by educating mental health professionals via contact interventions as a means of better protecting children and preventing child sexual abuse.

Keywords:

Pedophilia; Stigma; Attitudes; Narrative humanization; Sexual abuse prevention

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How to Cite

P. Gaudette, J., C. Watt, M., & J. Lively, C. (2024). Sex Differences in Stigma Reduction toward Minor Attracted Persons (MAPs) via Contact Interventions. Journal of Psychological Research, 6(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v6i3.6364

Issue

Vol. 6 , Iss. 3 (July 2024)

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2024 Jessica P. Gaudette, Margo C. Watt, Christopher J. Lively

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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