Offence-supportive cognitions of individuals with a history of using child sexual exploitation materials: The influence of early maladaptive schemas and compulsive sexual behaviours

Abstract This study investigated the mediating role of compulsive sexual behaviours on the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and offence-supportive cognitions to understand the fundamental interpersonal and intrapersonal problems of individuals with a history of using child sexual exploitation materials (CSEM). Ninety-seven adults with a history of CSEM use, who were recruited through the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, completed the quantitative survey online. Structural equation modelling revealed that early maladaptive schemas concerning individuals’ sense of diminished autonomy and interpersonal dependency predicted offence-supportive cognitions through the mediation of compulsive sexual behaviours. Such findings can inform intervention and prevention programmes for child sexual abuse in accounting for such individuals’ fundamental beliefs and cognitions as well as their sexual habits.