Personality of paedophile club members

The EPQ and a lifestyle questionnaire were completed by 77 members of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), a self-help club for men who are sexually attracted to children. Compared with control males the paedophiles were significantly introverted and high on P and N. Examination of individual items revealed that PIE members were more likely to be shy, sensitive, lonely, depressed and humourless, but they were not particularly troubled by guilt, obsessionality or worry about their looks. Individual variations within the paedophile sample were also found. Those who were high on P and low on E were interested in younger children and were less able to contemplate sex with adults. Paedophiles high on N were less happy about their sexual preference and were more likely to have sought treatment.