Renaming Pedophilia to Minor-Attracted Persons to Minimize Stigma-related Barriers and Challenges Mental Health Professionals Face with Treating this Population
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Authors
Campbell, Janet
Issue Date
2026-03
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
minor-attracted persons , pedophilia , Stigma , Healthcare Innovation & Delivery
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined how stigma surrounding terminology creates barriers and challenges for mental health clinicians who provide treatment to individuals who experience sexual attraction to minors and explored whether replacing the term “pedophile” with the term “minor-attracted persons” (MAPs) may reduce these barriers. Stigma influences both those seeking help and the clinicians responsible for providing care, limiting disclosure, restricting treatment engagement, and straining therapeutic relationships. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore clinicians lived experiences with stigma-related barriers and to determine whether renaming the condition could meaningfully influence treatment dynamics. The study was guided by the Theory of planned behavior, which provided a framework for understanding how clinicians’ attitudes perceived social expectations, and perceived control influence their intentions and actions when treating this population. A purposive sample of licensed mental health clinicians (N = 16) from the Northwestern Pennsylvania region participated in the study. Eligible participants were required to be licensed mental health professionals with direct experience providing treatment to individuals diagnosed with pedophilia or who experience sexual attraction to minors. Recruitment occurred through direct email outreach, and data were collected through sixty-minute, semi-structured interviews conducted via videoconferencing. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns related to the research questions. Participants were also given the option to review their transcripts for accuracy. Findings revealed that clinicians face substantial stigma-related barriers, including fear of professional judgment, legal uncertainty, emotional discomfort, and limited specialized training. These factors shaped therapeutic rapport and influenced willingness to treat. Participants offered mixed views on the renaming: some perceived it as a supportive, person-first term that may reduce stigma, while others believed terminology alone cannot overcome deeply rooted societal attitudes or resolve ethical and legal complexities. The study concluded that renaming may offer modest benefits by softening initial impressions, but significant reductions in stigma-related barriers require broader systemic changes, including enhanced education, clearer treatment guidelines, and increased professional support. Recommendations for future research include examining how terminology interacts with clinical decision-making, policy, training, and prevention-oriented treatment approaches.