Recent Research on the Latent Structure of Pedohebephilic Interests: Overview and Implications

Title: Recent Research on the Latent Structure of Pedohebephilic Interests: Overview and Implications

Presenter: Dr. Ian McPhail, PhD, C.Psych

Cost: $30 (members); $50 (non-members)

Abstract: Pedohebephilic interest is a key construct in understanding why men commit sexual offences against children, in assessing risk for future sexual violence, for treating men who commit such offenses, and understanding aspects of human sexuality. Recent research has begun to elucidate the latent structure of pedophilic interests in men, which is a fundamental issue for significant implications for research and clinical work with individuals who experience these sexual interests. The presentation will examine recent empirical findings on the latent structure in pedohebephilic interests to provide participants with an understanding of different structural models in pedohebephilic interest and which model the science supports.

The presentation will review research that examines the implications of latent structural findings, elucidating why understanding latent structure in pedohebephilia is vitally important for research and clinical practice. To achieve this, the presentation reviews research examining how different conceptualizations of pedohebephilic interest moderate predictive accuracy and the effectiveness of interventions. In addition, the presentation will look at emerging research on how preferentiality of pedohebephilic interests relates to sexual behaviour in the general population and the development of these sexual attractions. This examination will help participants integrate the emerging body of research into their clinical practice. Throughout the training, participants will be invited to discuss the research in the context of applying the results to their clinical practice. The training will be interactive, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues that they face when conducting comprehensive evaluations of men who have committed sexual offenses.

Bio: Dr. Ian McPhail, PhD, C.Psych is a registered clinical psychologist who is currently a Research Associate at the Moore Center, Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is a founding member of Talking for Change, the first treatment program in Canada focused on the secondary prevention of child sexual abuse perpetration. His research focuses on understanding psychotherapeutic change processes in sexual violence prevention programs, pedophilia, psychological risk factors for sexual offending against children, and measurement issues in forensic psychology. He is also a clinician who has worked in a variety of correctional, forensic mental health, and general mental health settings.

This workshop will earn you 2 hours of Continuing Education credits.

WATSA is a Washington State DOH approved CE provider. CE Hours earned at this training count towards hours needed to renew your SOTP credential and/or your underlying health care license. We are not an approved provider for organizations such as the APA, NASW, AAFT or NBCC.