Paraphilic Disorders: Social Factors

The relation between social factors and paraphilic interests and behaviors is difficult to disentangle from the influences of cultural factors. The problem exists because definitions of social factors and cultural factors overlap. To address this issue, in the present discussion, social factors are defined as factors related to the individual, such as age, education, marital status, physical health, mental health, social status, social support, and socioeconomic conditions (e.g., unemployment and poverty), whereas cultural factors are defined as an array of shared beliefs, attitudes, values, traditions, and standards that help determine behaviors in a group of individuals. In this entry, first the relation between social factors and paraphilia as a general diagnostic category is discussed, followed by a discussion of the relation between social factors and ...