Introduction: Sexual deviance has emerged as a significant contemporary concern among adolescents. An individual’s psychological characteristics, underlying concerns, or behavioral issues are closely linked to their likelihood of engaging in deviant sexual behavior or reoffending. Numerous studies have explored the nature of the juvenile sexual offense, but rare efforts were made to estimate the risk factors in offending. Method: The review also includes quantitative and qualitative studies of adolescents. A standardized data extraction form and quality appraisal checklist were used to extract essential information, critically appraise each study, and assess data reliability. A narrative synthesis was used with heterogeneous studies, i.e., reviews or meta-analyses, which are not similar or consistent in their characteristics. Electronic databases EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant literature between January 1979 and December 2024. Result: Antisocial Cognition is a key contributor to sexual deviancy among adolescents and is also recognized as a potential risk factor for antisocial behavior in adolescents. Adolescents are especially at risk for sexual violence due to various factors present in their environment. Discussion: This review will synthesize findings on antisocial cognition and its effect on the sexually deviant behavior of adolescents. The study seeks to explore deviant sexual conduct and related delinquent behavior in adolescents, as well as highlighting the existing research gaps on this issue for future guidance. Conclusion: Criminogenic and demographic factors may contribute to the risky sexual behavior in adolescents and perpetrating violent sexual intentions. Further, it was found that antisocial cognition is a potential risk factor for adolescent sexual deviancy.
Raj et al. (Fri,) studied this question.