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Fifty Shades of Belgian Gray: The Prevalence of BDSM-Related Fantasies and Activities in the General Population

DOI:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.07.003
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Lien Holvoet
Lien Holvoet
Lien Holvoet
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Wim Huys at Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen
Wim Huys
Violette Coppens at University of Antwerp
Violette Coppens
Jantien Seeuws
Jantien Seeuws
Jantien Seeuws
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Abstract and Figures

Background: Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism (BDSM) is gaining popularity through the mainstream media. Nevertheless, very little is known about the prevalence of BDSM-related fantasies and activities in the general population. Aim: To determine the prevalence of BDSM fantasies and behavioral involvement in four different age groups of the general population in Belgium. Methods: By use of a cross-sectional survey questionnaire, the level of interest in several BDSM-related activities was investigated in a sample representative of the general Belgian population (N = 1,027). The questionnaire evaluated interest in 54 BDSM activities and 14 fetishes. Self-identification as BDSM practitioner, situational context of BDSM practice, age at awareness of these interests, and transparency to others were queried. Outcomes: Individual item scores and summary scores on four BDSM categories were included in the analyses. Results: A high interest in BDSM-related activities in the general population was found because 46.8% of the total sample had ever performed at least one BDSM-related activity and an additional 22% indicated having (had) fantasies about it. Interestingly, 12.5% of the total population indicated performing at least one BDSM-related activity on a regular basis. When asked whether they saw themselves as being interested in BDSM, 26% stated this to be the case and 7.6% self-identified as BDSM practitioners. Interests in dominant and submissive activities were comparable and, remarkably, were highly intercorrelated. BDSM and fetish interests were significantly higher in men than in women. The older group (48-65 years) had significantly lower BDSM scores compared with their younger peers. Of participants with a BDSM interest, 61.4% became aware of it before 25 years of age. Clinical implications: There is a high level of interest in BDSM in the general population, which strongly argues against stigmatization and pathologic characterization of these interests. Strengths and limitations: This is the first thorough study concerning prevalence of interest in and fantasies about a wide range of BDSM-related activities in the general population worldwide. Although our findings tend to argue against it, we cannot completely rule out participation bias introduced by non-interest in the non-completers. In addition, some topics might have been subject to interpretation by the respondents. Conclusion: Interest in BDSM is present in most of the general population. Further research is needed to destigmatize it by confirming BDSM as a leisurely preference rather than a psychiatric affliction. Holvoet L, Huys W, Coppens V, et al. Fifty Shades of Belgian Gray: The Prevalence of BDSM-Related Fantasies and Activities in the General Population. J Sex Med 2017;XX:XXX-XXX.
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Fifty shades of Belgian grey: the prevalence of BDSM-related fantasies and
activities in the general population
Lien Holvoeta, Wim Huysb, Violette Coppensa,c, Jantien Seeuwsd, Kris Goethalsb,c, Manuel
Morrensa,c
Accepted for publication in Journal of Sexual Medicine
Affiliations
!" University Department of Psychiatry, Campus Duffel, Stationsstraat 22c, B-2570
Duffel, Belgium.
#" University Department of Psychiatry, Campus University Hospital Antwerp (UZA),
Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
$" Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine
and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1 , B-2650
Antwerp, Belgium.
%" Ruimte, Tentoonstellingslaan 92, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Corresponding author:
Manuel Morrens; University Department of Psychiatry, Campus Duffel, Stationsstraat 22c,
B-2570 Duffel, Belgium. manuel.morrens@uantwerpen.be
Abstract
Background: Bondage and discipline (B/D), dominance and submission (D/S), and
sadism and masochism (S/M), or BDSM, is gaining popularity through the mainstream
media. Nevertheless, very little is known about the prevalence of BDSM related fantasies
and activities in the general population.
Aim: The current study aimed at determining the prevalence of both BDSM fantasies and
behavioral involvement in four different age groups of the general population in Belgium.
Methods: By use of a cross-sectional survey questionnaire, the level of interest in several
BDSM-related activities was investigated in a subject sample representative for the
general Belgian population (n=1027). The questionnaire evaluated interest in 54 BDSM
activities and 14 fetishes. Self-identification as BDSM-practitioner, situational context of
BDSM practice, age of awareness of these interests and transparence to others were
questioned.
Outcomes: &'%()(%*!+ item scores and summary scores on four BDSM categories were
included in the analyses.
Results: A high interest in BDSM-related activities in the general population was found as
46.8% of the total sample had ever performed at least one BDSM-related activity, and an
additional 22% indicated having (had) fantasies about it. Interestingly, 12.5% of the
total population indicated performing one or more BDSM-related activities on a regular
basis. When asked if they saw themselves as being interested in BDSM, 26% revealed
this to be the case, and 7.6% self-identified as BDSM-practitioner. Interests in dominant
and submissive activities were comparable and, remarkably, were highly intercorrelated.
Both BDSM and fetish interests were present significantly higher in men than in women.
The older age group (48-65y) had significantly lower BDSM-scores compared to their
younger peers. Of the participants with a BDSM interest, 61.4% became aware of it
before the age of 25.
Clinical Implications: There is a high level of interest in BDSM in the general population,
which strongly argues against stigmatization and pathological characterization of these
interests.
Strengths & Limitations: This is the first thorough study concerning prevalence of interest
in and fantasies about a wide range of BDSM-related activities in the general population
worldwide. Although our findings tend to argue against, we cannot completely rule out
participation bias introduced by non-interest in the non-completers. In addition, some of
the topics may have been subject to interpretation by the correspondent.
Conclusion: BDSM interest is present within the majority of the general population.
Further research is needed to destigmatize it by confirming BDSM as a leisurely
preference rather than a psychiatric affliction.
Introduction
BDSM, a combination of the abbreviations B/D (bondage and discipline), D/S (dominance
and submission), and S/M (sadism and masochism), refers to (sexual) experiences
where, in mutual consent, physical restraint, intense sensorial feeling and/or fantasy
about dominance and submission play a key role, often experienced in role play [1, 2]. A
related phenomenon is fetishism, implying the use of a specific non-living object, non-
genital part of the body or a certain act in attaining sexual arousal.
An increasing ambivalence surrounds the general perception of practices and interest in
BDSM-related activities. On one hand, the field is gaining attention in popular media,
literature and art, as evidenced by the huge commercial success of the recent Fifty
Shades of Grey books and movies. On the other, there is a distinct stigma surrounding
the spectrum. Practitioners of BDSM or related behaviors commonly report being
stigmatized and discriminated [3], often resulting in them concealing their BDSM related
preferences, with self-protection or protection of others most often stated as reason for
this concealment [4]. This is mirrored in the fact that BDSM related activities are included
in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) [5], thus labeling
them as potentially deviant (e.g. sexual masochism disorder or sexual sadism disorder).
Including these behaviors in a psychiatric classification system may have societal
consequences of importance, e.g. in context of custody cases [6]. In this light,
comparisons have been made with homosexuality, which was also a DSM diagnosis
before it was removed from the DSM-III in 1973 [7]. Moser and Kleinplatz [8] proposed
the removal of several sexually related disorders from the DSM, including those based on
activities within the BDSM spectrum, because of changing cultural and historical factors
and more importantly, because of the lack of objective data to support their
characterization as a mental disorder.
A lack of knowledge about the nature and prevalence of the BDSM spectrum occupations
within the general population may fuel the above mentioned stigmatization. Up to now,
there is globally no proper investigation on the prevalence of interests, fantasies and
practices on different domains of BDSM. One study based on telephone interviews
questioned about various sexual practices, included a stand-alone question about having
performed BDSM-oriented sex within the last 12 months [9] and found less than 5% of
these respondents to have engaged therein. On the other hand, an older Canadian study
demonstrated that 65% of university students fantasized about being tied up by a sexual
partner [10]. The divergent results of these two studies may reflect inherent population
differences and/or a potential gap between having fantasies and actually playing them
out. A study gauging 184 individuals active in the BDSM community indicated that most
individuals only engage in certain actions but not in others [11]. Thus, interest may be
focused on a limited set of activities in a wider range of possible BDSM-related behaviors.
Other research suggested different preferences in BDSM–oriented activities in women
and men [12-14], with potential impact of age. As such, the BDSM spectrum may be a
cluster of very heterogeneous, independent profiles of interest.
To our knowledge however, no study has ever combined exploration of both interest in
and the level of practice of different aspects of a wide spectrum of BDSM related actions
in the general population. The current study therefore aimed at determining the
prevalence of both BDSM fantasies and behavioral involvement in different age groups of
the general population in Belgium.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was carried out from February 2017 to March 2017. A digital
invitation for participation to the survey was e-mailed out to 8041 subjects by iVox, a
market research and polling agency with access to a panel of 150.000 Belgian citizens,
representative for the general population. Data of 1027 residents were collected, divided
over four age groups (see Table 1; group 1: 18-27y; group 2: 28-37y; group 3: 38-47y
and group 4: 48-65y).
The invitation contained the following minimal information: duration of time needed to
complete the survey (15 minutes), potential reward for participation (gift card) and the
mention that the questionnaire topic concerned ‘a special theme’. Invitees opening the
link were categorized as responders, those not opening the link as non-responders. To
minimize participation bias in the non-responders, an explanation of the content of the
study and an informed consent form were presented only after opening the link.
Subsequently, socio-economical status (age, gender, education, occupation) as well as
general information concerning sexuality (sexual orientation, sexual habits) were
requested. Next, a list of 54 BDSM related activities was presented, including items both
from the dominant (e.g. hitting a sexual partner with a whip) and the submissive
perspective (e.g. being hit by a sexual partner with a whip). On each of these items,
participants had to indicate their level of interest: 1) ‘I would never do this’, 2) ‘It doesn’t
seem to interest me, but I’m open to it’, 3) ‘Never thought of it, but I’d like to try’, 4) ‘I
have fantasized about it once, but have never tried it’, 5) ‘I fantasize about it regularly,
but have never tried it’, 6) ‘I have put it into practice, and I didn’t like it’ 7) ‘I have put it
into practice, and I liked it’ 8) ‘I do this regularly’ and finally 9) ‘It is indispensable for
me’. In addition to these individual responses, three response patterns were created for
analysis: 1) ‘No Interest’ 2) having fantasies about the activity, but never having put it
into practice (‘Fantasies’) and 3) having actually carried out the BDSM-related activity in
reality (‘Put Into Practice’).
After these 54 items, interest in 14 fetish-related activities was gauged by use of a 5-
item Likert scale. Finally, participants had to indicate to what extent they identified
themselves as BDSM-interested, and answer 11 questions concerning the situational
conditions where these activities had been performed, when they became aware of their
interests, and whether they had shared these interests with anyone.
Based on a factor analysis of the same questionnaire taken in a sample of 353 members
of the BDSM-community (ten Brink et al., in prep.), 4 BDSM-related categories were
defined: 1) dominance (including 18 items such as ‘blindfolding a partner’, ‘impose rules
to partner’, ‘hitting a partner’), 2) submission (including 23 items such as ‘kneeling
before a partner’, ‘being hit by a partner’, ‘Use a title to address partner’), 3) visual play
(including 7 items like ‘watching people getting hit’, ‘watching people being tied’ or
‘fireplay’) and 4) attributes (including items like ‘use of medical attributes’ and
‘penetration using big objects’). In addition, a fetishism score was calculated (exemplary
fetish categories are ‘shoes’, ‘latex’, ‘nylon’, ‘feet’ and ‘leather’). Corresponding summary
scores were calculated for each of these 5 categories by summation of the item scores
that primarily loaded on each of the factors.
Results
Of the 8041 invitees, 2764 participants opened the survey (34.4% responders) of which
1.027 (37.2%) completed it, leaving 1.737 non-completers and 5.277 non-responders.
--INSERT TABLE 1 ABOUT HERE –
Profiling the participants concerning their BDSM fantasies and practice
All 1027 participants completed the 54-item BDSM questionnaire, as well as the 14-item
fetish questionnaire, gauging their level of interest in each of the BDSM-related activities
and fetishes respectively.
--INSERT TABLE 2 ABOUT HERE –
Table 2 presents the prevalence rates of both BDSM related fantasies and actual
practices from factors dominance, submission, visual play and attributes. Prevalence of
interest in dominance and submission was comparable in men and women, but men
demonstrated higher interest in visual play (p=.001) and attributes (p<.001).
Only 31.2% (n=320) of the completers reported no BDSM-related fantasies or practices
in either BDSM category. Fantasies without putting these into practice were reported by
22% (n=226), whereas 46.8% (n=481) participants indicated they had engaged in one
or more of the BDSM-related activities at least once. When looking at those participants
to engage in BDSM-related activities on a regular basis, 12.5% indicated to do so for at
least one of these activities, 7.5% in at least two different activities, 5.3% in at least
three of them, and 3.3% in at least 4 of these activities.
With regard to the 4 factorial BDSM categories, 9.5% engaged in at least one submissive
act on a regular basis, whereas this was the case in 8% for dominant behavior; for visual
play and attributes this was 2.5% and 1.7% respectively. Note that engaging in one of
the categories does not exclude engagement in any of the other categories.
--INSERT FIGURE 1A and 1B ABOUT HERE --
Figure 1 presents fantasies and practiced activities of the 15 most prevalent BDSM-items
in the general population, both from the dominance and the submission perspective.
When looking at the specific acts, movement restriction (by use of handcuffs, rope,…),
using a blindfold and using ice cubes elicited the highest interest, as these had each been
put into practice by 20-24% of our sample, both in a dominant and a submissive role
(see figure 1). Very few stated they didn’t like the experience (2.1%; 1.4%; 3.9%
respectively). On the other hand, only an equal minority indicated they performed these
activities on a regular basis (2.2%; 2.2%; 1.6%) and for each of these acts, less than
1% found them to be indispensable in their lives.
Submissive kneeling has been experimented with by 9.9% of the subjects, of which most
(78%, i.e. 7.7% of the total sample) stated they enjoyed it and 2.6% of the total sample
indicated to do this often. Hitting a partner in a sexual context was done by 11% of the
respondents in the dominant role, while 15.3% had been hit by a sexual partner. Both
from the acting (i.e. dominant role; 82% of affirmative item responses or 9% of the total
sample) and the receiving perspective (i.e. submissive role; 85% of affirmative item
responses or 13% of total sample), respondents stated they liked it, with 3-4% of the
total sample integrating it in their life on a regular basis. With regard of hitting attributes,
6% had used a whip or flogger on a partner and equally 6% had been hit with a whip or
flogger.
Profiling fetishism in the participants
Prevalence rates of ,-.(/01('.-2-/./1!/1%-,('-%1#31!1/$42-14,15142161are reported in Table 3.
--INSERT TABLE 3 ABOUT HERE –
Prevalence rates of these interests were typically 2- to 3-fold higher in men than in
women. Interests in materials and clothing objects tended to intercorrelate: latex
correlated with leather (Spearman’s coefficient = .579; p<.001), nylon (r=.374;
p<.001), shoes (r=.288; p<.001) and furry costumes (r=.210; p<.001). Similarly, body
part fetishes intercorrelated as interest in buttocks correlated with breasts (r=.504;
p<.001) and to a lesser degree with feet (r=.146; p<.001). Of note, arousal by piercings
did not display any correlations of interest with any of the other fetishes.
Fetishism correlated mildly with BDSM interest: Latex fetishism correlated with all 4
BDSM-categories (range Spearman = 0.22-0.29; all p<.001), as did leather (spearman
range 0.20-0.33; all p<.001) and nylon (0.19-0.30; p<.001). Other categories correlated
as well, albeit more modestly.
Interrelationships between the BDSM domains
Somewhat surprisingly, calculated BDSM-category scores for submission and dominance
scores intercorrelated significantly (r=.816, p<.001), suggesting that respondents with
an interest in performing dominant activities were equally intrigued by experiencing the
submissive role. Submission scores also correlated with Visual scores (r=.706, p<.001)
and the Humiliation scores (r=.718, p<.001) and to a lesser degree with the Fetishism
score (r=.387, p<.001).
BDSM identity and awareness
When asked if subjects judge themselves as having any interest in BDSM, 26% of the
respondents affirmed. Of this subgroup, 29.2% (i.e. 7.6% of the total sample) identify
themselves as actual BDSM practitioners. Most of these practitioners (85.5%) report the
activities being performed at home, whereas the minority state to enjoy their activities
out-of-doors (BDSM-club, hotel,…).
Of the subjects reporting an interest in BDSM, 61.4% became aware of this interest
before the age of 25 and surprisingly, 8% before the age of 15. Less than 5% told a
family member about their interest, whereas 24.6% told a friend. Telling a colleague was
only done by 10 out of 264 subjects (3.8%).
Associations with sex, age and sexual orientation
Age had a significant impact on BDSM category scores. When comparing the four age
groups, the oldest group (48-65y) had significantly lower submission scores compared to
the first (18-27y: p<.001), second (28-37y, p<.001) and third age groups (38-47y,
p=.017) as well as significantly lower dominance scores (all p=.001 or lower). None of
the other category scores (visual, attributes) differed between the eldest and the other
age groups. Male participants systematically had significantly higher summary scores
compared to their female counterparts (dominance: F=44.32, p<.001), submission:
F=10.00, p=.002; visual: F=34.93, p<.001 and attributes: F=59.24, p<.001). These
significant differences remained present after controlling for age.
Participants with a sexual orientation other than heterosexuality had higher scores for
dominance (F=19.1, p<.001), submission (F=33.8; p<.001), visual (F=18.8; p<.001)
and attributes (F=40,5; p<.001) but not for fetishism (F<1).
Exploring the impact of dropout
A subgroup (n=141; 8.1%) of the non-completers answered at least the first 18 BDSM-
related items before dropping out (partial completers), making them interesting for
further analysis of the participation bias.
When entering all 18 BDSM items in a multivariate GLM analysis comparing completers
versus partial completers (n=114), no significant differences were found (F=1.310;
p=.167). When looking at item-level however, a moderate significant difference was
found in two items: ‘wearing a gag’ (F=5.35; p=.021) and ‘being locked up in a cage’
(F=5.930; p=.015). Interestingly, these scores were higher in the partial completers.
Thus, these findings might argue against the idea of a participation bias leading to
overrepresentation of BDSM-minded subjects. Of note, no differences were found in age,
sex or sexual orientation between completers and partial completers, although the group
of partial completers tended to have more women (60.4% versus 55.4% in the
completers, p=0.062).
Discussion
A high interest in BDSM-related activities in the general population was found as half of
the total sample had ever performed at least one BDSM-related activity, and an
additional 22% indicated having (had) fantasies about it. When asked if interested in
BDSM, 26% revealed this to be the case, and 7.6% self-identified as BDSM-practitioner.
Interests in dominant and submissive activities were comparable and, remarkably, were
highly intercorrelated. Both BDSM and fetish interests were present significantly higher in
men than in women.
Compared to previous research, these prevalence rates seem high and are in contrast
with the findings of Richters and colleagues [9], who found less than 5% of the general
population to have engaged in BDSM-oriented sex. However, it should be noted that in
this study, only one broad question addressed BDSM interest, leaving ample room for
interpretation, and addressed a limited time period. The lower rate is rather more
comparable with the rate of correspondents from our sample who identify themselves as
BDSM practitioners (i.e. 7,6%), which is also in line with Bakker and Wesenbeeck [15],
who reported 7% of the population in the Netherlands to act upon their SM-desires. The
use of an extensive list of specific BDSM activities (including potentially ‘milder’ activities)
may also explain the higher prevalence percentages in our sample compared to some
studies.
In addition to the 46.8% who have practiced BDSM to some extent, another 22% has at
least once fantasized about one or more BDSM related activities. Reynaud and Beyers
[10] found that 65% of college students had ever fantasized about either tying someone
else up or being tied up themselves in a sexual context. Very similarly, the recent study
of Joyal and Carpentier [16], also found that in a large sample of the general population
(n=1040) nearly half (45.6%) had interests in paraphilic behavior (including sadism,
masochism and fetishism). These findings are thus comparable with our cumulative
prevalences for both enactment and fantasizing and indicate that at least some degree of
interest in BDSM is found in about 70% of the population.
Regular BDSM practitioners tend to participate more in submissive and dominant
behavior (9.5% and 8% respectively) rather than in visually stimulating acts (2.5%) or
use of BDSM-related attributes (1.7%). Surprisingly, respondents with an interest in
submissive roles were highly likely to have an interest in a dominant role as well. This is
in contrast with a study within the BDSM community [4, 14], that demonstrated a more
clear-cut preference for either role. These seemingly contrasting findings could result
from the fact that participants from the general population are exploring their interests,
experiment more with BDSM activities, and as a result, are more likely to still have no
well-defined interest or identity within the spectrum. It may also be that within the BDSM
community a more well-defined categorical identity (dominant, submissive or switch) is
expected or sometimes even required. This is in line with the study of Alison [11] that
demonstrated that subjects participating in a certain number of specific BDSM acts
tended to avoid other BDSM activities.
Older participants (i.e. 48-65y) had lower submission and dominance scores compared to
their younger peers, whereas no other age effects were found. This is remarkable, as
these participants had more time to explore their interests. Quite possibly, these
differences reflect cultural and generational differences as older generations may have
experienced a higher amount of stigma. Additionally, access to literature and other
BDSM-related media on the subject may have been more restricted and it might have
been more difficult to connect with peers, ultimately having allowed fewer people to
develop and explore their interests.
The majority (61.4%) of the completers with a self-proclaimed interest in BDSM became
aware of this interest before the age of 25. Bezreh and colleagues [4] demonstrated
awareness at an even younger age (85% before the age of 20) within a small sample of
the BDSM community. Similarly, Floyd and Bakeman [17] demonstrated first awareness
of same-sex attraction was reported around the age of 13.2 years old and self-
identification as being gay/lesbian/bisexual came at an age (19.7y) which is comparable
with our findings concerning BDSM interests.
The majority of participants felt uncomfortable revealing their BDSM interests, more to
family members or colleagues than to friends. Stiles and colleagues [14] found
resembling data as 38% of their research sample completely concealed their interest,
whereas 11-25% only told some close friends or family members. In contrast, talking
about sexuality in general to family members was done by 58-75% of teenagers [18].
This could reflect the stigma and the feelings of shame and guilt associated with BDSM
involvement [19].
When looking at fetish interests, most people who were found to be sexually aroused by
a certain clothing fabric, were likely to be aroused by other materials as well. Comparable
associations were seen for interest in body parts. It should be noted that the survey only
gauged arousal by / interest in a certain fetish domain; it did not verify whether the
objects were per se required to get sexually aroused as is the case for some people with
a specific fetish. Thus, similar to BDSM practice, fetishism could also be categorized as a
spectrum ranging from “some interest in” or “arousal by” an object/body part to
“absolutely indispensable to achieve sexual arousal”.
The study has some limitations. A market research and polling agency collected the data
to ensure a study sample representative for the general population, but due to our study
design only participants between the age of 18 and 65 with internet access entered the
study. Nevertheless, apart from those limitations, we feel our sample is indeed
representative. Although 37.2% invitees knowledgeable about the study topic completed
the survey and while we did not find significant lower BDSM interest in non-completers
versus completers, we cannot completely rule out participation bias introduced by non-
interest in the non-completers. Also, although the survey was anonymous, the fear of
being exposed in some way may have contributed to dropout during completion of the
survey. In addition, some of the topics may be subject to interpretation by the
correspondent (e.g. categorizing an object or body part as sexually stimulating). Finally,
no specific information was requested on timing of specific acts. As a result, no
distinction can be made between a subject referring to an act performed recently versus
decades ago; thereby potentially impacting age group-related correlations.
To conclude, there is a high level of interest in BDSM in the general population, which
strongly argues against pathological characterization and stigmatization of these
interests. Further research is needed to confirm BDSM as a leisurely preference rather
than psychiatric affliction to destigmatize it within the population. This quest might
benefit from exploring comparisons between BDSM profiles from the general population
and those from the BDSM community.
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Table! 2:! Prevalence! rates! of! lack! of! interest,! fantasies! about! and! practicing! of! BDSM-
related!categories!
!
1
N!(%)!
No!Interest!
Fantasy!
Put!into!practice!
Dominance!
M!
!
174!(37.9%)!
!
94!(20.5%)!
!
191!(41.6%)!
F!
232!(41.1%)!
106!(18.8%)!
227!(40.2%)!
total!
407!(39.6%)!
200!(19.5%)!
420!(40.9%)!
Submission!
M!
!
171!(37.3%)!
!
100!(21.8%)!
!
188!(41.0%)!
F!
210!(37.2%)!
96!(17.0%)!
259!(45.8%)!
total!
382!(37.2%)!
197!(19.2%)!
448!(43.6%)!
Visual!play!
M!
!
299!(65.1%)!
!
80!(17.4%)!
!
80!(17.4%)!
F!
441!(78.1%)!
44!(7.8%)!
80!(14.2%)!
total!
741!(72.2%)!
125!(12.1%)!
161!(15.7%)!
Attributes!
M!
!
313!(68.2%)!
!
87!(19.0%)!
!
59!(12.9%)!
F!
481!(85.1%)!
42!(7.4%)!
42!(7.4%)!
total!
795!(77.4%)!
130!(12.7%)!
102!(9.9%)!
1
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... Increased awareness of BDSM as a non-pathological social and cultural activity has contributed to a quickly expanding body of literature, addressing a broad array of topics (see Brown et al., 2020 for a systematic review). This has led to extensive research over the past decade into the prevalence of BDSM participation amongst college students (Boyd-Rogers et al., 2022) and online samples (Walker & Kuperberg, 2022;Wismeijer & van Assen, 2013), as well as representative samples of Americans (Herbenick et al., 2017(Herbenick et al., , 2020, Australians (Richters et al., 2008(Richters et al., , 2014, Belgians (Coppens et al., 2020;Holvoet et al., 2017), Dutch (Schuerwegen et al., 2021), Finnish (Paarnio et al., 2022), Italians (Botta et al., 2019), and Norwegians (Traeen et al., 2022). Combined, these studies have provided important insights into the relationship between BDSM and pornography consumption, coping styles, sexual behaviors, sexual coercion, and personality characteristics (e.g., extroversion, openness, and honesty). ...
... They found that interest occurred, on average, at 22 years of age and that it took six years (i.e., 28 years old) before the 68 participants surveyed began engaging in BDSM activities. Holvoet et al. (2017) were one of the first to explicitly study age of onset in a large-scale survey, finding that 61% became interested before 25 and 8% prior to 15, while Botta et al. (2019) found that first BDSM experience in men was at age 28.3 and 29.9 for women. ...
... However, pain-related activities such as hair pulling, biting, bondage, and paddling were also common. Finally, two representative sample studies of Belgians have explored BDSM activity frequency outside of the context of sex, with a sample of just over 1,000 (Coppens et al., 2020;Holvoet et al., 2017). These studies used a scale which included options never do this, like to try, fantasize sometimes/regularly, tried, like, do regularly/indispensable. ...
An International Survey of BDSM Practitioner Demographics: The Evolution of Purpose for, Participation in, and Engagement with, Kink Activities
Article
While general proclivities for BDSM participation have been investigated in various countries, few large-scale studies have been conducted specifically with BDSM practitioners, which would allow for more in-depth analyses of participation. Through an online survey of 810 BDSM practitioners, the predictability of demographics and BDSM-related traits on the who, what, when, where, why, and how of BDSM participation were examined. Descriptive and regression analyses led to six findings. First, BDSM is practiced globally by a heterogeneous group. Second, learning about to participating in BDSM is a stepwise progression occurring over years. Third, pathways into BDSM vary with self-introduction, often as a form of sexual exploration, more common for adolescents, and friends/partners, and as a form of self-growth, more common for those introduced later in life. Fourth, historically viewed as sex-driven, few demographics predicted purpose for BDSM participation, while enjoyment/fun was the most common motivation. Fifth, practitioners participate in BDSM with multiple others beyond intimate partners, suggesting a communal element. Sixth, as a person gains more BDSM experience, their purpose/motivation evolves and the frequency and "risk" (i.e. edge-play) of activities participated in increases. Implications for further research into BDSM sub-culture are discussed, relating to the role of BDSM in sexual practice, sexual orientation, and leisure (hobby) activity identity formation, the impact of geographic, racial, and generational differences on participation, differing experiences of sexual and gender minorities (e.g. transgender, pansexual), and the importance of BDSM-specific measures, such as years of experience and occupying multiple BDSM-related roles, in analyses.
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... When the content of these fantasies involves non-traditional sexual practices (e.g., sadomasochism) or practices that are prohibited by law (e.g., involving a nonconsenting adult, or a minor), they are termed "paraphilic 1 " (Aylwin et al., 2005;Gee et al., 2004). The paraphilic sexual fantasies most frequently reported in studies of the general population involve sexual coercive acts (Arndt et al., 1985;Byers et al., 1998;Crépault & Couture, 1980;Dawson et al., 2016;Greendlinger & Byrne, 1987;Holvoet et al., 2017;Hunt, 1974;Joyal et al., 2015;Leitenberg & Henning, 1995;Miller & Simon, 1980;Person et al., 1989;Richters et al., 2003Richters et al., , 2008Rye & Meaney, 2007;Sue, 1979;Williams et al., 2009) and sadistic acts (i.e., acts focused on domination, and the physical and psychological pain of partners) (Ahlers et al., 2011;Arndt et al., 1985;Crépault & Couture, 1980;Greendlinger & Byrne, 1987;Holvoet et al., 2017;Joyal et al., 2015;Person et al., 1989;Stefanska et al., 2022;Williams et al., 2009). For example, 68% of a sample of 103 academics in the United States reported having sexual coercive fantasies and 62% reported having sadistic fantasies (Williams et al., 2009). ...
... When the content of these fantasies involves non-traditional sexual practices (e.g., sadomasochism) or practices that are prohibited by law (e.g., involving a nonconsenting adult, or a minor), they are termed "paraphilic 1 " (Aylwin et al., 2005;Gee et al., 2004). The paraphilic sexual fantasies most frequently reported in studies of the general population involve sexual coercive acts (Arndt et al., 1985;Byers et al., 1998;Crépault & Couture, 1980;Dawson et al., 2016;Greendlinger & Byrne, 1987;Holvoet et al., 2017;Hunt, 1974;Joyal et al., 2015;Leitenberg & Henning, 1995;Miller & Simon, 1980;Person et al., 1989;Richters et al., 2003Richters et al., , 2008Rye & Meaney, 2007;Sue, 1979;Williams et al., 2009) and sadistic acts (i.e., acts focused on domination, and the physical and psychological pain of partners) (Ahlers et al., 2011;Arndt et al., 1985;Crépault & Couture, 1980;Greendlinger & Byrne, 1987;Holvoet et al., 2017;Joyal et al., 2015;Person et al., 1989;Stefanska et al., 2022;Williams et al., 2009). For example, 68% of a sample of 103 academics in the United States reported having sexual coercive fantasies and 62% reported having sadistic fantasies (Williams et al., 2009). ...
... Although high prevalence rates of coercive and sadistic sexual fantasies are found in the general population, several studies (Herbernick et al., 2017;Holvoet et al., 2017;Hunt, 1974;Janus & Janus, 1993;Joyal & Carpentier, 2017;Långström & Hanson, 2006;Långström & Seto, 2006;Oliveira Junior & Abdo, 2010;Richters et al., 2008) have reported much lower prevalence rates of fantasy fulfillment among men in the general population. For example, in Australia, Richters et al. (2008), who surveyed 16,779 adults (51.4% men) about their sexual practices, reported that only 2.2% of the men in their sample had engaged in sadomasochistic sexual practices. ...
Inadequate Coping Strategies of Men who Have Committed Sexual Aggression Against Women: A Study of Their Developmental Antecedents
Article
Full-text available
Several researchers have found that men who have committed sexual aggression have inadequate coping strategies (e.g., paraphilic sexual fantasies, substance abuse). However, very few researchers have empirically examined the factors potentially associated with the development of these strategies. In 2011, Maniglio hypothesized that the inadequate coping strategies of men who have committed sexual aggression are the result of childhood victimization, mediated by internalized psychological problems. The present study therefore empirically tested this hypothesis in a Canadian sample of 205 men who had committed sexual aggression against women, of whom 37 committed sexual murder. Structural equation modeling (SEM) resulted in the identification of several direct and indirect trajectories leading from childhood victimization (psy-chological, physical, sexual) to the development of inadequate coping strategies (paraphilic sexual fantasies, alcohol and drug use) mediated by internalized psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, social isolation). The theoretical and clinical implications of these developmental trajectories are discussed.
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... Defined by the submissive partner (i.e., slave) consensually allowing the dominant partner (i.e., master or owner) to control much or all aspects of their life (Dancer et al., 2006) Estimating the prevalence of BDSM interest and behaviors is difficult given the stigma attached to not only the practice of BDSM but also the research of it (Simula, 2019;Wright, 2006Wright, , 2018. Estimates of BDSM behavior range from 1.8% in a representative Australian sample (n = 1,440; (Richters et al., 2008) to 46.8% in a representative Belgian sample (n = 1.027; (Holvoet et al., 2017). Prevalence rates vary greatly by the methodology used, including whether the participant is surveyed about identity, behaviors, or fantasy. ...
... Conversely, asking behavior-based questions (e.g., Have you spanked a partner?) or regarding fantasies (e.g., Have you wished to be tied up?) yields greater endorsement (De Neef et al., 2019). For instance, in the Belgian study, 69% of the sample had BDSM fantasies, and nearly half the population reported BDSM behaviors, but only 7.6% reported identifying as a BDSM practitioner (Holvoet et al., 2017). These greater rates of interest comport with studies of U.S. samples (Herbenick et al., 2017;Kinsey et al., 1953;Renaud & Byers, 1999). ...
... Although research on BDSM is nascent, sexual minorities report higher rates of BDSM interest and behaviors Richters et al., 2008). Additionally, the onset of BDSM fantasies and behaviors appears to peak in late adolescence and early adulthood Holvoet et al., 2017)-incidentally, this is also the most likely developmental period for the onset of IPV (Capaldi et al., 2012). ...
"It's Their Consent You Have to Wait For": Intimate Partner Violence and BDSM Among Gender and Sexual Minority Youth
Article
Gender and sexual minoritized (GSM) youth are more likely than their cisgender heterosexual peers to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and practice bondage and discipline, domination and submission, sadism, and masochism (BDSM). Although IPV and BDSM are vastly different phenomena, superficial similarities (e.g., violent behaviors) can lead to misidentification in both practice and research. This study explores how GSM youth (a) experience and understand the differences between IPV and BDSM and (b) report consensual violent and controlling behaviors when answering items on IPV measures. Nine demographically diverse GSM youth (mean age 21.2) were drawn from a GSM youth-serving organization in the Northeast United States. Participants were interviewed about their experiences with IPV, BDSM, and consent. Participants also were asked to describe the process of completing two standardized measures of IPV. Interviews were coded using conventional and directed content analysis. Eight of nine participants reported IPV victimization, and seven reported BDSM interest or experiences. Four themes emerged: (a) GSM youth experience a spectrum of IPV victimization, often related to their gender and sexual identity; (b) interest in BDSM does not imply an acceptance of IPV; (c) GSM youth have a nuanced understanding of consent and strategies to communicate consent with their partners; and (d) Consent is the organizing framework by which GSM youth distinguish IPV from BDSM. Participants reported various degrees of certainty that they would include BDSM behaviors when answering questions about violent behaviors. Findings underscore the importance of conceptually and operationally differentiating IPV and BDSM. Programs that serve GSM youth should address IPV victimization, offer sex-positive education regarding healthy relationships and BDSM, and assist GSM youth in differentiating abusive behaviors from consensual BDSM. Standardized measures that do not conflate BDSM with IPV are crucial for studying IPV among GSM youth.
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... Based on the size and number of social clubs, advocacy organizations, community events, and participation in social media platforms, it is estimated that 1-2% of the general population holds an identity centered on kink (Sprott & Berkey, 2015). A study that examined a representative sample of the Belgian population (n = 1,027) found that nearly half (46.8%) of the participants had engaged in BDSM-related activities at least once in their lifetimes, 12.5% had engaged on a regular basis, and 7.6% had identified as "BDSM practitioners" (Holvoet et al., 2017). ...
... Research on people involved in kink, spanning the 1970s to the present, demonstrates generational shifts involving sources of information and education about kink , but little change across generations in the age of awareness of kink interest (Holvoet et al., 2017;Moser & Levitt, 1987;Spengler, 1977). A study of a representative sample of the Belgian population found that 61.4% of people who indicated an interest in BDSM developed initial awareness of this interest prior to the age of 25. ...
... A 1977 study of among a sample of West German (n = 237) found that 77% first became aware of their kink interests before the age of 25 years (Spengler, 1977). However, although first awareness may tend to occur in late adolescence or emerging adulthood, some people have discovered or explored kink interests at later stages of life, whereas others have begun in childhood (Holvoet et al., 2017;Moser & Levitt, 1987;Spengler, 1977). ...
Clinical Guidelines for Working with Clients Involved in Kink
Article
People involved in kink (BDSM or fetish) subcultures often encounter stigma and bias in healthcare settings or when seeking psychotherapy. Such individuals typically encounter well-meaning clinicians who are not prepared to provide culturally competent care or who have not recognized their own biases. Over a two-year period, a team of 20 experienced clinicians and researchers created clinical practice guidelines for working with people involved with kink, incorporating an extensive literature review and documentation of clinical expertise. This article summarizes the guidelines and discusses relevant issues facing clinicians and their clients, as well as implications for clinical practice, research and training.
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... 7,[14][15][16][17] Scenes may feature a variety of implements, such as dildos, handcuffs, masks, whips, paddles, and other toys and equipment that can be used to create physical and psychological sensations of pleasure and pain. 8,18 Individuals may also perform acts using parts of their bodies (eg, hands, mouth, penis, breasts), such as spanking, hair pulling, hitting, scratching, biting, controlling partners' breath, and inflicting genital pain. 2,4,18 The use of implements or body parts can sometimes leave physical marks. ...
... 8,18 Individuals may also perform acts using parts of their bodies (eg, hands, mouth, penis, breasts), such as spanking, hair pulling, hitting, scratching, biting, controlling partners' breath, and inflicting genital pain. 2,4,18 The use of implements or body parts can sometimes leave physical marks. Individual practitioners vary widely in their mark tolerance, from avoidance to tolerance of marks not causing serious injury 8 to desire and pride in markings, which can serve as accomplishments and symbols of authenticity for some members of the community, particularly masochists. ...
... For instance, multiple studies found that many people are interested and have participated in BDSM without identifying as a member of the kink community. 1,18,31 These studies of general populations in the Western world (ie, Canada, Belgium, United States 18,32 ) have also found that many individuals have procivities toward, are interested in, have fantasies about, or participate in BDSM. Adding to these findings, >77% of the adults in our convenience sample (college students and adults from an online sample) had some experience with BDSM, and 94% reported having knowledge of BDSM beyond being "new to the lifestyle." ...
An exploration of marks/injuries related to BDSM sexual experiences
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2023
Background Despite its growing prevalence, BDSM practice (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism) is still stigmatized, and little is known about the physical marks and injuries that individuals sustain from consensual BDSM-related activities. Aim In this exploratory study, we examined BDSM sexual experiences and the physical marks and injuries resulting from these experiences in a convenience sample of 513 US adults. Methods We examined the extent to which individuals at various stages of BDSM exploration engage with different types of BDSM and kink behaviors, along with the frequency with which they communicate about, inflict, and receive physical marks from these activities. Outcomes Our main outcome measures were intentional and unintentional marks sustained from BDSM-related activities, BDSM experiences, and the use of safe words. Results Results revealed that BDSM marks and injuries are common and quite varied (from small scratches to very large bruises) and unintentional and intentional marks differ in terms of typical size, place on body, and severity of injury. Additionally, BDSM experience is positively associated with the use of safe words and marking behaviors. Clinical Translation Disclosure of marks and injuries, intentional and unintentional, may be improved if health care providers are aware of, and make efforts to reduce stigma surrounding, BDSM and rough sex activity. Strengths and Limitations The findings of this study must be interpreted with acknowledgment of the limitations that it was a survey study with a convenience sample. However, as one of the few studies exploring the marks and injuries sustained from BDSM activities, the exploration of intentional and unintentional marks sustained provides a critical starting point for future examination of BDSM consequences that intersect with health care and the law. Conclusion Marks and injuries from BDSM-related activities are common, and despite the greater use of safe words, practitioners with more BDSM experience inflict more marks than those with less BDSM experience.
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... La prevalencia de este tipo de prácticas sexuales en la población se desconoce, puesto que en muchos casos resulta una práctica oculta o al menos no confesada, como ocurre con identidades y orientaciones diversas, o las prácticas no se consideran dentro de la categoría kink o BDSM. Algunos estudios indican que puede variar entre 1.5% -50% de la población general (Richters et al., 2008;Waldura et al., 2016;Smith et al., 2003;Herbenick et al., 2017;Moser et al., 2006a), llegando incluso a 68.8% en un estudio realizado por Holvoet et al. (2017), que analiza fantasías y comportamientos en población belga. ...
... Dentro de los hallazgos en nuestro estudio, al igual como muestran estudios previos, los intereses sobre el BDSM se evidencian a tempranas edades y el BDSM es una práctica más frecuente en gente joven Holvoet et al., 2017). En ese sentido, existen diversos factores que influencian el desarrollo del interés personal por el BDSM, tanto a nivel biológico, psicológico y social (De Neef et al., 2019); como por ejemplo, el género o los roles dentro del BDSM, factores importantes a considerar. ...
Por tod*s y para todes. Una compilación de trabajos de investigación producidos en contextos de formación académica que hacen uso del lenguaje inclusivo de género
Book
Full-text available
  • Jul 2023
Por tod*s y para todes es una publicación del Equipo de Género y Subjetividades Trans de ONG CERES, la cual compila trabajos de investigación producidos en contextos de formación académica de pre y posgrado que hacen uso de estrategias de lenguaje inclusivo de género. El objetivo de dicha publicación es favorecer la aceptación y naturalización de los vectores de transformación sociolingüísticos transafirmativo, teniendo a la vista de que la necesidad de «abrir el campo de enunciabilidad de variantes sexogenéricas en constante construcción» es imperativo insoslayable para la construcción de una sociedad más justa e igualitaria, con perspectiva de género y centrada en la defensa de los derechos humanos. Por tod*s y para todes está compuesto por tres versiones abreviadas de tesis, dos ensayos de seminario, un ensayo de cátedra y una fundamentación de un proyecto de investigación doctoral que atravesaron instancias de evaluación estándar en el marco de las pragmáticas de las ciencias sociales, los estudios de género, la medicina, la estética y el psicoanálisis. Dicho conjunto va antecedido por una introducción que releva la particularidad de la demanda de justicia sociolingüística transafirmativa a partir de la experiencia del activismo, la docencia universitaria y el trabajo editorial. El diseño, edición y diagramación estuvo a cargo de Débora Fernández Cárcamo, mientras que de la corrección editorial lo estuvo Débora Fernández Cárcamo y Marcela Weintraub.
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... The 64-item BDSM-Q-II (see supplementary Table 1), an adapted version of the 7 'BDSM questionnaire' (Holvoet et al., 2017), was presented, gauging fantasy (F) and activity 8 (A) levels in each of 64 BDSM-related activities. On an item-level, participants had to indicate 9 their level of interest in terms of fantasizing ("I have never fantasized about this", "I fantasize 10 about this occasionally" or "I fantasize about this frequently") and actually performing the 11 activity ("I have never done this", "I have done this occasionally" or "I have done this 12 frequently"). ...
BDSM in North America, Europe, and Oceania: A Large-Scale International Survey Gauging BDSM Interests and Activities
Article
Full-text available
BDSM is a widespread and highly prevalent yet stigmatized practice of intimacy and sexuality. In recent years, international interest in BDSM research has grown, mainly resulting in prevalence studies in various countries. Yet, no research has, thus far, investigated international and intercontinental differences in the nature of BDSM interests and fantasies, BDSM roles and practicing contexts among BDSM practitioners. In order to explore international discrepancies in BDSM identity, fantasies, and activities among self-identified BDSM practitioners in an international survey, a group of FetLife (a social network website for BDSM and kink interested individuals) members (N = 1,112) originating from North America (n = 458), Europe (n = 566), Oceania (n = 46), and Other (n = 42) completed the survey. Europeans reported an earlier age of onset of fantasizing about BDSM than did North Americans. More North Americans indicated practicing BDSM in a public context than did Europeans and Oceanians. These differences could in part be explained by different cultural backgrounds, higher levels of religiosity, and current stigmas towards non-traditional sexual interests. Future research should focus on clarifying whether cultural mechanisms underlie these dissimilarities.
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Aggressive sexual fantasy frequency outperforms other characteristics in cross-sectionally predicting self-reported sexual aggression in 4 samples
Article
Background: Aggressive sexual fantasies (ASFs) have consistently been associated with sexual aggression measures. ASF frequency has mostly been used to indicate ASF, but other ASF characteristics may be important to explain the apparent gap between alleged high lifetime prevalence rates of ASF and lower sexual aggression rates-that is, why ASFs are only sometimes put into action. Aim: The present study therefore examined whether additional ASF characteristics show associations with sexual aggression measures above and beyond ASF frequency to identify the most relevant ASF characteristics. Methods: The present study is based on cross-sectional survey data from 4 independent mostly community samples with 448, 131, 758, and 415 participants to examine whether ASF elaboration, intrusion, preoccupation, context, and consent were associated with self-reported sexual aggression measures beyond ASF frequency. Outcomes: Self-reported sexual aggression measures included presumably consensual and nonconsensual sexual sadism, self-reports on acting on ASF, sexual harassment, use of coercive strategies, and rape proclivity. Results: The results showed positive correlations among all ASF characteristics. ASF frequency was the most consistent and often strongest predictor of sexual aggression across samples and outcome measures. ASF elaboration and/or its interaction with ASF frequency added to this prediction in study 1 but not in study 2. All other ASF characteristics in studies 1 to 4 either did not add to the predictions or yielded results contrary to expectations, mostly suggesting suppressor effects. Clinical implications: Sexual medicine and forensic sexology researchers may want to consider ASF frequency in diagnostics and develop and refine interventions to reduce it in cases of clearly elevated levels. Strengths and limitations: The strengths of the present study include considering 4 independent samples as well as a large number of ASF characteristics and sexual aggression measures. Its limitations include the reliance on cross-sectional data and not being able to examine the potential influences of all ASF characteristics in a single model. Conclusion: ASF frequency seems the most valid and reliable indicator of ASF and the most important associate of sexual aggression. It should be considered the main indicator of ASF by future research and in prevention efforts and risk assessment.
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Legătura dintre calitatea relațiilor interumane și practicile BDSM
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Jan 2023
Introducere: Profilul psihologic al practicantului BDSM a fost conturat ca extensie a conceptului psihanalitic de sadomasochism, ce denotă un comportament autodistructiv, inhibarea globală a plăcerii și sentimentelor pozitive, căutarea activă a suferinței în toate dimensiunile vieții, incapacitatea de a forma altfel de relații în afara celor bazate pe control și exploatare. Conceptul psihanalitic expune doar marginal comportamente sexuale bazate pe schimbul de putere și administrarea/experimentarea durerii, iar când acestea apar în discuție, observațiile sunt bazate pe cazuri nonconsensuale și eminamente patologice. Ca urmare, actele BDSM au fost puternic stigmatizate. Obiectiv: De a proba aplicabilitatea teoriilor psihanalitice privind relațiile subculturii BDSM și a construi un profil relațional unic subgrupului. Metodologie: Studiu cantitativ derulat pe 234 participanți, compus dintr-o secțiune dedicată prelevării datelor demografice pentru determinarea profilului sexual (genul, orientarea, fanteziile, practicile și identificarea ca practicant), o scală pentru măsurarea retroactivă a calității relației cu părinții, respectiv o scală dedicată intimității cu partenerul. Rezultate: Studiul nu a indicat diferențe semnificative statistic între practicanți și non-practicanți în ceea ce privește calitatea relației cu mama din timpul copilăriei – niciuna dintre următoarele subscale nu a indicat că practicarea BDSM s-ar asocia unei relații retrospective problematice cu mama: dragostea percepută, comportamentul punitiv al mamei, minimizarea impactului pedepselor de către adult, controlul exercitat de mamă, ambițiile mamei, mama ca model, reversarea rolului mamă-copil. Au fost descoperite diferențe limitate în relația cu tatăl: practicanții au simțit că au primit mai puțină afecțiune din partea tatălui în copilărie, au perceput contactului fizic dorit de tată mai degrabă ca excesiv și au preluat comportamentul tatălui într-o mai mică măsură drept model de urmat, comparativ cu non-practicanții. Calitatea relației cu partenerul a fost superioară în cazul practicanților, aceștia înregistrând scoruri mai bune în raport cu grija acordată partenerului și grija primită din partea partenerului, validarea acordată și primită, precum și în ceea ce privește intimitatea în mod global, nefiind însă observate diferențe statistice între grupuri în legătură cu înțelegerea acordată și primită în relația cu partenerul. Concluzii: În ciuda unui istoric deficitar sub aspectul afecțiunii paterne resimțite, practicanții prezintă o imagine prezentă favorabilă, printr-o calitate superioară a relației cu partenerul. Studiul nu a găsit aspecte care să justifice stigmatizarea practicanților, iar faptul că teoriile psihanalitice nu au fost aplicabile decât într-o mică măsură arată cât de necesară este o analiză a profilului psihologic al practicantului BDSM, diferențiată de conceptul psihanalitic de sadomasochism. Cuvinte-cheie: BDSM; sadomasochism; intimitate; cuplu; erotic; calitatea relației; copilărie; părinte-copil.
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The Prevalence of Paraphilic Interests and Behaviors in the General Population: A Provincial Survey
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2017
Abstract Paraphilic sexual interests are defined as unusual or anomalous, but their actual occurrence in non-clinical samples is still unknown. This study looks at desire for and experience of paraphilic behaviors in a sample of adult men and women in the general population. A secondary goal is to compare the results of two survey modes – traditional land-line telephone versus online. A total of 1,040 persons classified according to age, gender, education, ethnic background, religious beliefs, and area of residency and corresponding to the norm for the province of Québec were interviewed. Nearly half of this sample expressed interest in at least one paraphilic category and approximately a third had had experience with such a practice at least once. Voyeurism, fetishism, frotteurism, and masochism interested both male and female respondents at levels above what is usually considered to be statistically unusual (15.9%). Interestingly, levels of interest in fetishism and masochism were not significantly different for men and women. Masochism was significantly linked with higher satisfaction with one's own sexual life. As expected, the online mode generated more acknowledgment of paraphilic interest than the telephone mode. These results call into question the current definition of normal (normophilic) vs. anomalous (paraphilic) sexual behaviors.
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Exploring the frequency, diversity, and content of university students' positive and negative sexual cognitions
Article
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  • Jan 1999
Despite the fact that some individuals appraise their sexual cognitions negatively and/or experience negative affect in association with their sexual fantasies, sexuality researchers have not differentiated between positively and negatively experienced sexual cognitions. As part of a larger study, we investigated the frequency, diversity, and content of positive and negative sexual cognitions. Two-hundred and ninety-two (148 women and 144 men) heterosexual undergraduate students completed a sexual cognition checklist requiring them to report the frequency with which they experienced each of 56 sexual cognitions as positive and as negative. Results revealed that overall, respondents reported more frequent and more diverse positive sexual cognitions than negative sexual cognitions. However, men reported both more frequent and more diverse positive and negative sexual cognitions than did women. Although there was a significant relationship between the contents of positive and negative sexual cognitions, the most commonly reported positive sexual cognitions differed from the most commonly reported negative sexual cognitions. Men and women also differed in the frequencies with which they reported specific positive and negative sexual cognitions. These results are discussed within the context of the utility of differentiating between positive and negative sexual cognitions.
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Sensual, Erotic, and Sexual Behaviors of Women from the “Kink” Community
Article
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Unconventional sensual, erotic, and sexual behaviors (herein referred to as kink behaviors) investigated by academia are based largely on clinical and criminal cases, and most published, peer-reviewed, quantitative research on these behaviors is based almost exclusively on male participants. For this study, information was collected and analyzed from 1580 female participants recruited from the kink community, using a non-clinical and non-criminal sample. We explored and described the preferences and diversity of more than 126 sensual, erotic, and sexual behaviors found among these participants, along with recommendations for continued research. Gaining a better understanding of the breadth and depth of activities engaged in by female kink practitioners could benefit educators, counselors, therapists, medical doctors, and other professionals when interacting with members of the kink community.
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Comparing Sexuality Communication Among Offspring of Teen Parents and Adult Parents: a Different Role for Extended Family
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2015
This brief report examined teenagers’ sexuality communication with their parents and extended families. It compared who teens of early parents (those who had children when they were adolescents) and teens of later parents (those who were adults when they had children) talk to about sex. Eighth grade students (N = 1281) in 24 schools completed survey items about their communication about sex. Structural equation modeling was used to predict communication profiles, while adjusting for the nesting of students within schools. After controlling for teens’ age, gender, race/ethnicity, grades, parent/guardian closeness, and social desirability of survey responses, as well as family status and median family income, results showed that teens of early (teen) parents were more likely than teens of later (adult) parents to talk with both parents and extended family about sex and less likely than later parents to talk only with parents. These findings indicate that realities of teen sexuality communication for teens of early parents may extend beyond a parent-teen model to include extended family. Extended family involvement in educational outreach is a potential untapped resource to support sexual health for teens of early parents.
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BDSM: A Subcultural Analysis of Sacrifices and Delights
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2011
This is a qualitative investigation of 73 individuals in the Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sado-Masochism subculture. There is tremendous stigma attached to this subculture, and while the academic community may be increasingly accepting, the general public is not as accepting or knowledgeable. Fear of negative consequences means that many engage in secrecy and concealment strategies as protective measures. Although there is much literature on the possible consequences and the reasons for concealment, there remain gaps. Our findings reveal how many conceal to cover up or to hide what outsiders may consider immoral or otherwise unacceptable behavior. Others conceal as a means to create a distinction for themselves as part of a secret subculture. Whatever their reasons, those in this subculture engage in a variety of strategies to manage their identity and to minimize their vulnerability.
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BDSM Disclosure and Stigma Management: Identifying Opportunities for Sex Education
Article
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While participation in the activities like bondage, domination, submission/sadism, masochism that fall under the umbrella term BDSM is widespread, stigma surrounding BDSM poses risks to practitioners who wish to disclose their interest. We examined risk factors involved with disclosure to posit how sex education might diffuse stigma and warn of risks. Semi-structured interviews asked 20 adults reporting an interest in BDSM about their disclosure experiences. Most respondents reported their BDSM interests starting before age 15, sometimes creating a phase of anxiety and shame in the absence of reassuring information. As adults, respondents often considered BDSM central to their sexuality, thus disclosure was integral to dating. Disclosure decisions in nondating situations were often complex considerations balancing desire for appropriateness with a desire for connection and honesty. Some respondents wondered whether their interests being found out would jeopardize their jobs. Experiences with stigma varied widely.
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Sadism, Sadomasochism, Sex, and Violence
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2008
The true prevalence of sexual sadism (and its variants) is unknown. However, all clinicians will knowingly or unknowingly encounter patients with this disorder. Regretfully, few programs offer adequate education in normal sexuality and even less provide training in the assessment and treatment of pathologic sexual interests. This review synthesizes current theories about possible etiologies of criminal sexual sadism and the resulting implications for diagnosis and treatment of this sexual disorder. Included is a review of theories of criminally sadistic sexual motivations, response patterns, and physiology, including possible neurophysiologic factors and more complex interactions. This review focuses primarily on published English-language scientific studies of sexual sadism. It should be noted that my use of the term sadism refers to nonconsensual sexual aggression.
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Empathy in Female Submissive BDSM Practitioners
Article
  • Jan 2017
The practice of bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism (BDSM) sometimes is associated with giving and receiving pain. It remains unresolved how BDSM practitioners perceive the pain of other people. This study investigated whether and how the BDSM experience affects human empathy. Experiment 1 measured trait empathy and subjective empathic responses in BDSM practitioners and control respondents. The results revealed lower trait empathy scores and subjective pain intensity ratings in the female submissive group (Subs) compared to controls. Experiment 2 measured participants’ neural responses to others’ suffering by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) from female Subs and controls while viewing painful and neutral expressions. We found that the differential amplitudes between painful and neutral expressions in the frontal N1 (92–112 ms), frontal P2 (132–172 ms) and central late LPP (700–1000 ms) were reduced in the submissive group versus the control group. These findings suggest that being in the submissive role during BDSM practice weakens female individuals’ empathic responses to others’ suffering at both the behavioral and neural levels.
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Shame, Guilt, and Suicide Ideation among Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadomasochism Practitioners: Examining the Role of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
Article
  • Jun 2016
To date, no study has examined rates of suicide ideation or theory-based risk factors for suicide ideation among bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism (BDSM) practitioners. Participants were 321 adults that endorsed BDSM involvement. Thirty-seven percent of the sample indicated a nonzero level of suicide ideation. Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness (PB) were positively associated with suicide ideation and their interactive effect predicted additional variance in suicide ideation after adjusting for depressive symptoms. Overall, shame and guilt were positively associated with suicide ideation and these relations were mediated by thwarted belongingness and PB in parallel adjusting for depressive symptoms; however, there were some differences between demographic subgroups. Among BDSM practitioners, stigma-related internalized feelings (i.e., shame and guilt) may be associated with increased thwarted belongingness and PB, which are associated with suicide ideation.
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DSM-5 and Paraphilic Disorders
Article
  • Jun 2014
Given that paraphilic disorders are diagnosed largely in forensic settings, virtually every significant change in the criteria has forensic implications. Several controversial changes were considered during the DSM-5 revision process, but most were ultimately not included in the published text. However, any changes that make it easier to assign a paraphilic disorder diagnosis to an individual must be considered with caution. Criterion A for paraphilic disorders has been changed to reduce one potential risk that could result in false-positive diagnoses (i.e., allowing evaluators to diagnose a paraphilic disorder based entirely on the presence of sexual acts). In contrast, many of the other changes including some of those in the text, make it easier to diagnose a specific paraphilia and thus increase the risk of false-positive diagnoses. Since the assignment of a paraphilic disorder diagnosis can result in adverse legal consequences, the actual forensic impact of the changes will depend on how the legal system incorporates these new definitions into statutes and case law.
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