B – 82 A Neuropsychological Perspective on Child Sexual Abuser’s Modus Operandi

Abstract Objective To better understand CSA’s modus operandi, this literature review will examine the neuropsychological variability in executive functioning between pedophilic and non-pedophilic CSA’s. Method Thirteen publications were identified through the following electronic databases: PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. Search criteria included child sexual abuse, sex offender, neuropsychology, executive function, and cognition. Inclusion criteria: pedophilia, non-pedophilia, child sexual abuse, executive function, impulsivity, cognition, planning, and processing speed. Exclusion criteria: adult sex offenders. Pedophilic individuals were identified through self-report measures or evidence of greater arousal to children compared to adults based on a penile plethysmography (PPG). Results CSA’s performed worse than healthy controls (HC) in general executive functioning. CSA’s, particularly non-pedophilic CSA’s, showed greater deficits in set-switching and inhibition than HC’s. Pedophilic CSA’s showed superior planning abilities and greater performance accuracy, but slower processing speed compared to non-pedophilic CSA’s. Conclusion CSA’s show neuropsychological impairments that are consistent with crime relevant decision making. Poor inhibition and faster processing speed among non-pedophilic CSA’s is indicative of their propensity to engage in sexual deviancy in an opportunistic fashion. Alternatively, superior planning abilities among pedophilic CSA’s is indicative of their tendency to establish relationships in order to gain access to their victims. Insight into the neurological deficits of CSA’s can aid in creating more effective therapeutic interventions for this treatment-resistant population.