Which of the following statements is true of pedophilic disorder?

• A. It can be diagnosed in individuals who are exclusively attracted to adults.
• B. It involves recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children.
• C. It is no longer recognized as a mental disorder in the DSM-5.
• D. It is diagnosed only if the individual has acted on their urges, regardless of distress or impairment.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of pedophilic disorder as per the DSM-5, which involves recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children.
2. Recognize that pedophilic disorder can be diagnosed even if the individual has not acted on their urges, as long as these urges cause distress or impairment in functioning.
3. Note that pedophilic disorder is still recognized as a mental disorder in the DSM-5, so any statement claiming it is no longer recognized is incorrect.
4. Identify that the disorder cannot be diagnosed in individuals who are exclusively attracted to adults, as the attraction must be toward prepubescent children.
5. Conclude that the true statement is the one describing the core features of pedophilic disorder: recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with prepubescent children.