Exhibitionnists's Cognitive Mecanisms

Qualitative Study on Cognitive Mecanisms Involved in Exhibitionists's Acting Out

Exhibitionism is a paraphilia, which is defined according to the DSM 5. The estimated prevalence in men is between 2 to 4% (The prevalence of exhibitionistic disorder in females is even more uncertain but is generally believed to be much lower than in males).

At judiciary level: approximately 30% of apprehended male sex offenders are exhibitionists. They have the highest recidivism rate of any sex offender; about 20-50% are arrested again.

The studies are old and not very prolific on the subject of exhibition. The available data are lacking, there is no clinical evaluation scale for exhibitionism. The diagnosis is essentially based on facts with judicial characteristics "did patient show himself? ", "Does he enjoy showing off?". Investigators have no data on the cognitive distortions that support this particular acting out, the (specific) triggering factors and the potential psychological vulnerabilities of exhibitionists Some cognitive and sensory mechanisms may be involved in the origin and development of the processes underlying the act (Johnston and Ward 1996). The investigators will rely on the identification of anticipatory, relieving and permissive beliefs as a schema that can explain cognitive processes leading to acting out (Johnston and Ward, 1996). The goal is to apply this approach to exhibitionism. It should be noted that this model of thoughts (anticipatory, relieving and permissive) is taken up in the field of addiction. Exhibition is generally presented in the literature as a possible addictive disorder (Jon E. et al). The investigators will investigate whether there are specific factors precipitating exhibitionnism's acting out, other than the general precipitating factors or the recidivism risk factors known in sexual violence (SONAR, STATIC-99, PCL- R, SVR-20…). The investigators will also study the psychological vulnerabilies of these subjects.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Paraphilic Disorders; Exhibitionism
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Semi-structured interview

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 20

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Magali TEILLARD; Phone Number: +33 467338577; Email: m-teillard_dirat@chu-montpellier.fr

Study Locations

• France
  • Montpellier, France, 34295
    • Recruiting
    • CHU Montpellier : Lapeyronie CRIAVS
    • Contact: Céline BAIS, MD; Phone Number: +33467338677; Email: c-bais@chu-montpellier.fr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Men followed for exhibitionism

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• male > 18 years
• followed in Resource Centre for Interveners with Perpetrators of Sexual Violence of Montpellier UH
• exhibitionnists
• agree to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• dementia
• severe intellectual desability
• decompensated psychiatric didease

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
exhibitionist patients	Other: Semi-structured interview; The semi-structured interview will take place during a standard follow-up appointment with the therapist already treating the patient after the patient has agreed to participate in the study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Self-questionnaire	collective and personal representation on the phenomeon, self-reflexivity in relation to personality, self reflexivity in relation to body and sexuality, exploration of the lived expérience of exhbition, exploration of evolution in term of addiction	Day 1 (inclusion)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sexual Addiction Screening Test : SAST-Fr	The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) is designed to assist in the assessment of sexually compulsive or "addictive" behavior.	Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Montpellier

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Marais C, Song Y, Ferreira R, Aounti S, Duflos C, Baptista G, Pers YM. Evaluation of mindfulness based stress reduction in symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Rheumatol. 2022 May 30;6(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s41927-022-00277-9.

Helpful Links

• open access

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 6, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Anticipated): July 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 16, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 16, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): November 28, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 1, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 28, 2022
• Last Verified: November 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: sexual violence; sex offender; acting out
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Paraphilic Disorders; Exhibitionism
• Other Study ID Numbers: RECHMPL22_0411

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No