Fig. 4: Neurobiological working model of child sexual offending.
From: Child sexual offenders show prenatal and epigenetic alterations of the androgen system
We assume an underlying combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that contribute to child sexual offending. A high level of prenatal testosterone or childhood trauma may lead to a disruption of the regulatory circuit between genetics and epigenetics. This in turn could lead to difficulties for the subject in adapting adequately to environmental factors, which then could foster the development of personality or affective disorder, as well as impulsive behavior
