The Mediator Effect of Psychopathy between Pornography and Sadism

Abstract

This study tried to test the mediator effect of psychopathy between pornography and sadism, and investigate the difference of models between the sexual offenders and non-offenders. A total of 529 male adult sexual offenders and 170 community non-offenders were given the MASA version of 3,4,5 or 6. Factor analysis, mediator model, and MANOVA test were used to compare group differences. Results showed that pornography effects on sadism will be mediated by increased psychopathy among offenders in a criminal sample, and among males in a non-criminal sample under certain circumstances. Paraphilic coercive disorder was similar to sadism. Lack of perspective taking and self-centered impulsivity might be the key to distinguish individuals with sexual abuse propensity versus normal people.