Sexual attraction towards animals disorder: Diagnostic classification based on a systematic review

Abstract

Sexual intercourse between humans and animals has existed since the dawn of humanity in every place and culture of the world. Nevertheless, this issue has been scarcely approached by science. Given the wide differences in behavior and preferences among people who practice sex with animals, it is necessary to establish a subtypes classification. For this purpose, a systematic review of investigations was carried out that allowed us to select 26 empirical studies. Their analysis permitted to describe the group of Sexual Attraction Towards Animals disorder, comprising four differentiated disorders: (1) zoophilic disorder, (2) bestiality disorder, (3) sexual zoosadism, and (4) sexual attraction disorder towards animals due to medical or substance-induced illness. Additionally, the diagnostic criteria for each are proposed. Implications and limitations are discussed, as well as the value of having a classification of these disorders and the need to incorporate their study in the academic field.