Collega Alana Schuerwegen voert sinds 2018 in samenwerking met dr. Manuel Morrens (Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute – CAPRI; Universiteit Antwerpen) onderzoek uit naar psychologische drijfveren bij BDSM-beoefenaars, en attitudes binnen de samenleving ten aanzien van BDSM-beoefenaars. Een eerste deel van deze onderzoekslijn focuste zich op het verschil in copingstrategieën en mate van spanningsbehoefte tussen BDSM-beoefenaars en personen uit de algemene populatie. Dit onderzoek wordt medio 2020 gepubliceerd door Archives of Sexual Behavior.

In 2019 spitste het onderzoek zich toe op stigmatiserende attitudes en overtuigingen binnen de samenleving ten aanzien van BDSM en BDSM-beoefenaars. Het manuscript van dit onderzoek is nog in opbouw.

 Stigma

A Cross-Sectional Survey Study Investigating Stigma Towards BDSM Practitioners in the General Population and Self-Stigmatization Among BDSM Practitioners.

A. Schuerwegen BASc,1, W. Huys MSc,1,2, J. Henckens MP,PhD,2, K. Goethals MD,PhD,1,2,3, M. Morrens MD,PhD,2,3

ABSTRACT


Previous research has shown rather high prevalence rates of BDSM-related activities in the Belgian population. Nevertheless, BDSM is still being stigmatized and pathologized. Yet very few studies have focused on these phenomena among BDSM-practitioners and in the general population. The current two-part study investigated a) stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about BDSM in the general population, and b) self-reported stigma in members of the BDSM community. In study 1, a cross-sectional survey questionnaire, containing the Big Five Inventory and a self-developed stigma-questionnaire, was completed by 300 members of the general population lacking any interest in BDSM (135 males, 158 women, 4 gender fluid, 3 genderless). Three dimensions of stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about BDSM were identified, being prejudices, discrimination and incomprehension. About 86% maintained stigmatizing beliefs about these sexual interests and practices. Higher age, higher levels of conscientiousness, and lower levels of openness and agreeableness were found to be predictors for stigmatization. Study 2 involved 256 BDSM practitioners (110 males, 135 women, 7 gender fluid, 2 genderless) who completed a questionnaire with items concerning experienced stigmatization or discrimination because of BDSM interests. About 28% reported not feeling comfortable to share their interests with the outside-world. Experiences of stigmatization and discrimination might influence their reluctance to share their sexual preferences with others. These findings suggest the need for further research into underlying reasons or motives for maintaining stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs towards BDSM practitioners in the general population.

Coping en sensation seeking

The Psychology of Kink: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study Investigating the Roles of Sensation Seeking and Coping Style in BDSM-Related Interests.

A. Schuerwegen1, W. Huys1, 2, V. Coppens2, 3, N. De Neef4, J. Henckens2, K. Goethals1, 2, M. Morrens2, 3

ABSTRACT

Despite the gaining popularity in mainstream media of the phenomenon that is BDSM, empirical research on the motives and underlying psychological mechanisms driving BDSM-practitioners is scarce. The current study focused on the potential driving roles of sensation seeking and coping styles in BDSM-related interests and behavior. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was completed by 256 Dutch-speaking BDSM practitioners (110 men, 135 women, 7 gender fluid, 2 genderless) and a matched control group lacking any BDSM interest recruited from the general Belgian population (N = 300; 135 men, 158 women, 4 gender fluid, 3 genderless). The questionnaire consisted of several items surveying different BDSM identities and interest levels of BDSM-related activities, an adapted version of the Dutch Sensation Seeking Scale, and items querying seven coping styles. Compared to controls, BDSM practitioners reported significantly higher levels of sensation seeking for all dimensions (experience seeking, thrill seeking, and distraction seeking), as well as the use of more active coping skills such as problem solving and taking action. Gender differentiated which specific coping skills were being used with women seeking out more emotional support and comfort and reaching out more for help and advice in both the BDSM and control group, and men taking more action and seeking distraction in leisure. About 40% of the practitioners reported using BDSM itself as a coping strategy. Further research is needed to explore the link between coping and sexuality in general, and to other psychological processes that drive BDSM interests in order to destigmatize and normalize consensual BDSM-related activities within the general population.