{"id":269,"date":"2021-03-29T18:29:07","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T18:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sexuallyharmfulbehaviourlab.wordpress.com\/?page_id=269"},"modified":"2026-08-24T17:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T21:51:33","slug":"causal-candidates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/sexuallyharmfulbehaviourslab\/causal-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"Causal Candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
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Sexually Harmful Behaviours Research Lab<\/p>\n

Pathways and causal candidates<\/h2>\n

Identifying factors that may contribute to\u2014or protect against\u2014the onset and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviours.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

\n

\u2190 Back to all research areas<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\"Research<\/p>\n
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Why this research matters<\/p>\n

Moving from association toward explanation and prevention<\/h2>\n

We identify promising causal candidates for the onset and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviours. The goal is to determine which factors are most likely to influence behaviour\u2014and therefore represent meaningful targets for prevention and intervention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Research program<\/p>\n

Three complementary approaches<\/h2>\n
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\"People<\/p>\n

Population-based studies<\/h3>\n

Family, sibling, and case-control designs can improve control of confounding and help identify promising developmental and health-related candidates.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Sexual interests<\/h3>\n

We work to improve the measurement of atypical sexual interests and clarify how sexual interests may relate to sexually harmful behaviour.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\"Plant<\/p>\n

Change in risk factors<\/h3>\n

If a factor plays a causal role, change in that factor should be associated with change in behaviour. Longitudinal research helps test this possibility.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Current focus<\/h2>\n

Our current longitudinal research examines factors associated with changes in university students\u2019 likelihood of engaging in online and in-person sexually harmful behaviours. This work is supported by the Government of Ontario.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Recent and foundational work<\/p>\n

Selected publications<\/h2>\n
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Psychiatric and neurological morbidity predicts sexual offending<\/h3>\n

Babchishin, K. M., Seto, M. C., & L\u00e5ngstr\u00f6m, N. (2025). Journal of Criminal Justice, 96, 102355.<\/p>\n

Open publication<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n

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Parental and perinatal risk factors<\/h3>\n

Babchishin, K. M., Seto, M. C., Sariaslan, A., Lichtenstein, P., Fazel, S., & L\u00e5ngstr\u00f6m, N. (2017). Psychological Medicine, 47, 305\u2013315.<\/p>\n

Open publication<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n

Sexual attraction and falling in love in persons with pedohebephilia<\/h3>\n

Martijn, F. M., Babchishin, K. M., Pullman, L. E., & Seto, M. C. (2020). Archives of Sexual Behavior.<\/p>\n

Open publication<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n

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Monitoring changes in risk of reoffending<\/h3>\n

Babchishin, K. M., & Hanson, R. K. (2020). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(10), 886\u2013898.<\/p>\n

Open publication<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
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Support for this research<\/p>\n

Funding partners<\/h2>\n
\n
\"Social<\/p>\n

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\"Association<\/p>\n

Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\"Canadian<\/p>\n

Canadian Institutes of Health Research<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\"Government<\/p>\n

Government of Ontario<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Interested in research collaboration?<\/h2>\n

We welcome conversations about data partnerships, applied research, knowledge exchange, and new research questions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Email the SHB Lab<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sexually Harmful Behaviours Research Lab Pathways and causal candidates Identifying factors that may contribute to\u2014or protect against\u2014the onset and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviours. \u2190 Back to all research areas Why this research matters Moving from association toward explanation and prevention We identify promising causal candidates for the onset and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviours. 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