City Research Online

Abstract

Minor Attracted Persons (MAPs) who have not engaged in Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) are an under-researched population (Muir, 2018; Cantor & McPhail, 2016). The majority of research is based on a forensic population, and focuses on issues of CSA (Caccatori, 2017). Differences have been found between offending MAPs and non-offending MAPs; therefore, these groups should be studied separately (Kargel et al., 2017; Schiffer et al., 2017). Whilst there is a growing literature base on MAPs in the general population, many of the studies do not distinguish between offending and non-offending MAPs. Additionally, there is often less emphasis placed on the psychosocial and cultural context, which is essential in providing a holistic understanding of their lived experiences. Therefore, this study utilised Critical Narrative Analysis (CNA) (Langridge, 2007) to explore the life stories of six non-offending MAPs. Whilst a variety of personal narratives were identified, all the participants constructed their life stories illustrating that they were “good” and “normal” individuals attempting to remove the pathology and stigma of having an attraction to minors. The diverse and nuanced ways each participant construct their life stories in terms of experiencing stigma are further discussed in the results chapter. Use of a queer theory critique unveiled the impact of categorising sexualities as normal or abnormal. The CNA approach allowed for a critical discussion on the topic, which will contribute a contextual, deeper understanding of this silenced population.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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