Despite the number of theoretical explanations, the etiology of unusual sexual preferences in people still calls for empirical testing. Neurodevelopmental research have shown higher proportion of left handedness in paraphilic patients.
Physiological models focus on the relationship between hormones and behavior. Behavioral learning models suggest that an abused child may imitate inappropriate sexual behaviors in the later life.
Psychoanalysts highlight the role of early sexual habits and relationship with parental figures. We aimed to test empirically the associations of available key factors (experience with sexual abuse, relationship with parents, sexual desire and left-handedness) with prevalence of pedophilia and hebephilia patterns.