Given the paucity of research on neurodiversity within paraphilic populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence of formally diagnosed and self-diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions and social anxiety disorder in a large community-based sample of individuals identifying as zoophiles.
The current study adopts a community-based participatory research action framework to explore the prevalence rates of formal and self-diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in a sample of 2,197 adults identifying as zoophiles.
Participant’s ages ranged from 18 to 82 years old (M = 29.39, SD = 9.79), coming from more than 50 countries, notably the United States (43.2%), Germany, Canada and Australia. Results revealed high rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (23.8% and 14.4% formal and self-diagnostics, respectively), autism spectrum disorder (15.7% and 16.2%, respectively) and social anxiety (17.7% and 16.5%). Only a third of participants did not report any neurodevelopmental disorder. Participants reported a wide variation of functional impacts of these disorders with ADHD and social anxiety showing the most uniformed distribution across all levels of support needed.
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this community-based participatory research study is the first of this scale to document neurodiversity in this marginalized population. It highlights the importance of understanding the link between neurodevelopmental disorders and zoophilia to adapt interventions.
