The effects of masturbatory reconditioning with nonfamilial child molesters.

Abel and Annon's (Reducing deviant sexual arousal through satisfaction, Denver, Colo., 1982) suggested combination of 'directed masturbation' and 'satiation' to alter deviant sexual preferences, was applied to 10 nonfamilial child molesters. Post-treatment assessments revealed significant reductions in deviant arousal as was expected, but unfortunately there were also reductions in appropriate arousal although these changes did not achieve statistical significance. The results are discussed in terms of their meaning but it is concluded that empirical support for these clinically popular procedures remains weak.