Aggressive sexual fantasy frequency outperforms other characteristics in cross-sectionally predicting self-reported sexual aggression in 4 samples.

This article investigates the relationship between aggressivesexualfantasy (ASF) characteristics—specifically frequency, elaboration, intrusion, preoccupation, context, and consent—and self-reported sexual aggression across four independent community samples totaling over 1,700 participants. The research consistently found that ASF frequency is the most reliable and strongest predictor of various sexual aggression measures, including consensual and nonconsensual sadistic behavior, sexual harassment, coercive strategies, and rape proclivity. Other ASF characteristics showed limited or inconsistent additional predictive value beyond frequency, with elaboration contributing in some cases but intrusion, preoccupation, context, and consent largely not enhancing prediction. The findings suggest ASF frequency should be the primary focus in future research, prevention, and risk assessment efforts related to sexual aggression, while acknowledging limitations such as reliance on cross-sectional self-report data and the need for further study in offender populations and longitudinal designs.