Prerequisites for the Formation of Sexual Perversions in Modern Youth: Research Results
This post presents a theoretical and empirical study exploring the psychological and social prerequisites for the development of sexual perversions among modern youth. Conducted by researchers from Lviv State University of Internal Affairs and partner institutions, the study examines patterns of deviant sexual behavior, underlying personality traits, and social influences shaping youth sexuality in today’s environment.
Authors:
Anna Shydelko – Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral, Humanities, and Economic Security, Institute of Management, Psychology and Security, Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Lviv, Ukraine (UA)
Tetiana Holovach – Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor, Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Lviv, Ukraine (UA)
Natalia Bamburak – Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor, Lviv Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, Lviv, Ukraine (UA)
Halyna Barshatska – Ph.D. in Sociological Sciences, Associate Professor, National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic”, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (UA)
Serhii Shcherbyna – Ph.D. in Sociological Sciences, Associate Professor, National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic”, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (UA)
Research Focus and Purpose
The study aims to identify psychological, social, and behavioral factors contributing to the emergence of deviant sexual behavior patterns in modern youth. Conducted between March and May 2022, the research involved 46 respondents aged 19–30, with 43.5% male and 56.5% female participants.
By combining theoretical review with empirical testing, the authors sought to determine the relationship between personal traits, social influences, and sexual deviations, offering insights relevant for preventive education, social psychology, and behavioral counseling.
Methodology
The study used several standardized instruments to assess personality and behavioral tendencies:
- O. Potemkina’s Sexual Profile Assessment Method – to evaluate patterns of sexual interest and orientation;
- M. Horska’s Methodology for Determining the Tendency to Deviant Behavior – to identify broader behavioral risks;
- A Questionnaire on Deviant Sexual Experience – to explore exposure to or engagement with non-normative sexual behaviors.
Through these combined tools, researchers obtained both quantitative and qualitative data on youth perceptions, experiences, and predispositions regarding sexual conduct.
Theoretical Background
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the psychological and sociological literature addressing sexual perversions (or, more neutrally, deviant sexual behaviors). It explores the conceptual foundations of various forms of non-normative sexual expression and discusses how cultural, familial, and digital factors influence their formation.
Among the examined categories are:
autoeroticism, fetishism, exhibitionism, voyeurism (scopophilia), sadism, masochism, transvestism, and other phenomena traditionally defined in psychiatric and sociological discourse.
The authors emphasize that modern youth are exposed to new forms of sexualized content and social communication, particularly through digital media and pornography, which can accelerate the desensitization of moral norms and alter perceptions of sexual boundaries.
Key Findings
- Certain psychological predispositions (e.g., impulsivity, emotional immaturity, and low self-control) were correlated with a higher tendency toward deviant sexual behavior.
- Social environment and media exposure significantly shape youth attitudes toward sexuality, often normalizing previously taboo behaviors.
- A lack of comprehensive sexual education and open discussion about healthy sexual behavior contributes to confusion, experimentation, and potential maladaptive patterns.
- Both gender differences and individual personality factors play roles in how sexual deviations manifest or are expressed.
Interpretation and Implications
The study’s authors underscore that the findings should be interpreted within a psychological and educational framework, not a moralistic one. Understanding the prerequisites for deviant sexual behavior allows educators, psychologists, and policymakers to design more effective preventive programs, ethical education initiatives, and psychological support systems for young people.
They also highlight the need for balanced sexual education, combining scientific understanding with value-based discussions about respect, empathy, and personal boundaries.
Conclusion
This research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing the formation of deviant sexual tendencies among youth. The authors advocate for a multidimensional approach — integrating psychological counseling, educational reform, and parental guidance — to foster healthier, more responsible sexual development in the modern age.
Read the full article here: https://brain.edusoft.ro/index.php/brain/article/view/1356.
