d in the disease categories, sexual relations with a child remains a behavior considered to be psychopathological. As such, it has been investigated in the current literature. In this regard, a good part of this literature has attempted to determine biological, personal, social, and demographic factors associated with the disorder.
Regarding biological factors, there have been several
studies linking pedophilia with endocrine disorders (e.g. Harrison, Strangeway, McCann & Catalan, 1989; Bain, Langevin, Hucker & Dickey, 1988). Also, neurological impairment has been associated with the condition. For example, Langevin, Wortzman, Wright & Handy (1989) found that both heterosexual and homosexual pedophiles showed verbal deficits and left-hemispheric brain dysfunction when given the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery.
Regarding personal and social characteristics of pedophiles, it has been observed that such individuals are overwhelmingly male, sexually immature individuals who are low in self-esteem who have had their adult sexual opportunities block by traumatic experience, dysfunction, or marital disturbances (Rowan, 1988). Also, Erickson, Walbek and Seely (1987) observed that pedophiles displayed personality traits associated with serious difficulties in interpersonal relationships as well as an impulsiveness in terms of acting on their feelings in destructive ways.
Tingle, Barnard, Robbins and Newman (1986) found that pedophiles typically evidence an unusual closeness to their mothers. Haag, Schorsch, Galedary and Hauch (1985) have claimed that pedophilia is best understood in terms of an underlying cluster of symptoms or characteristics which the authors say includes a view of the behavior as a demonstration of manhood and sexual potency, escape from mature genitality, an expression of rage and hatred. The authors also note that pedophiles experience outbreaks of hostility, an feelings of an inner empti...