Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Relationships and Sexual Health

New study explores the sexual attitudes and characteristics of OnlyFans users

by Eric W. Dolan
October 11, 2022
in Relationships and Sexual Health, Social Psychology

[Follow PsyPost on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Do people who use OnlyFans have significantly different sexual attitudes compared to the general population? New research published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviors suggests that is not the case. The new findings indicate that OnlyFans users and nonusers have similar attitudes regarding things like casual sex and the importance of birth control.

OnlyFans allows users to subscribe to different content creators in order to access exclusive content. This content can include everything from photos and videos to personal messages and behind-the-scenes looks. The platform has become increasingly popular in recent years, boasting more than 100 million registered users but little is known about the characteristics of OnlyFans users.

“Although OnlyFans was an incredibly hot topic, the only literature I could find about user demographics and sexual attitudes were limited to anecdotal reports,” explained study author Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, an assistant professor at Cleveland State University and owner of SDAL Consultation & Educational Services and the Brave Space Institute. “Quantifying these areas were critical to stay abreast on the ever-changing landscape of sexually explicit material (SEM). As a researcher, I am excited by the prospect of being the first to explore new trends in social and sexual behavior.”

For their study, Litam and her colleagues surveyed 718 U.S. adult participants who ranged in age from 18 to 71 (average age 29). The sample included 348 OnlyFans users (219 male users and 129 female users).

The participants completed a demographic questionnaire along with an assessment of sexual attitudes in which they were asked the extent they agreed with statements related to permissiveness (“Casual sex is acceptable” and “I would like to have sex with many partners”), birth control (“Birth control is part of responsible sexuality”), communion (“Sex is the closest form of communication between two people” and “Sex is a very important part of life”), and instrumentality (“Sex is primarily a bodily function, like eating” and “Sex is best when you let yourself go and focus on your own pleasure”).

OnlyFans users had tended to have slightly higher scores on the measures of permissiveness, birth control, communion, and instrumentality. The differences between OnlyFans users and nonusers was statistically significant but very small, indicating a very high degree of overlap between the two groups.

“I think the biggest takeaway here is that individuals who create and access SEM content are not significantly different than those who do not,” Litam told PsyPost. “Based on the results of our study, OnlyFans users and nonusers endorsed similar sexual attitudes. I believe this finding is important because it directly challenges stigmatizing attitudes that portray SEM users as deviant, hypersexual, and sexually permissive. Ultimately, when it comes down to sexual attitudes, we are all more alike than different.”

The study also shed some light on the demographic characteristics of OnlyFans users. “Consistent with the existing literature, OnlyFans users in our study were predominantly white, married, men who identified as heterosexual or bisexual/pansexual,” Litam explained.

The new findings provide a jumping off point for future research. “One study I have in mind would be to explore the experiences of OnlyFans creators,” Litam said. “I’m curious about the influencing factors that lead folx to pursue these types of SEM experiences. I’m also interested in hearing more about the types of content that is personally requested by users.”

“If you feel worried about the extent to which you, or someone in your life accesses SEM, it’s a great idea to engage in reflection or to facilitate an open, honest conversation,” the researchers added. “Specifically, an exploration around the question, ‘What is the desired outcome or experience?’ can help to uncover underlying motivations.”

“SEM can be accessed for a variety of reasons including for educational purposes, to enhance masturbation and pleasure, and to reduce boredom. We can never assume why folx access SEM. Speaking with a licensed mental health professional and/or sex therapist can also be helpful!”

The study, “Sexual Attitudes and Characteristics of OnlyFans Users“, was authored by Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, Megan Speciale, and Richard S. Balkin.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePin1Send
Previous Post

Study finds twelvefold higher mortality risk among psychopathic female offenders

Next Post

Feeling “schadenfreude” about Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis may have impacted people’s views on the election

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Scientists raise concerns about the potential link between chronic microdosing of psychedelics and valvular heart disease

Study suggests lack of positive feelings during social interactions could help explain isolation in people with suicidality

Anxiously attached individuals have stronger cortisol reactivity when anticipating a conflict with a partner

New psychology research shows how narcissistic tendencies influence perceptions of intellectual humility

Contrary to popular belief, recent psychology findings suggest aggression isn’t always tied to a lack of self-control

Interesting link between self-alienation and death anxiety uncovered by new psychology research

RECENT

Interesting link between self-alienation and death anxiety uncovered by new psychology research

Lifestyle pages on Facebook are a significant contributor to the spread of fake news, study finds

Shy teens with shy best friends might be more prone to depression, study finds

Single-session exposure therapy: A game-changer for phobia treatment?

Scientists raise concerns about the potential link between chronic microdosing of psychedelics and valvular heart disease

Anxiously attached individuals have stronger cortisol reactivity when anticipating a conflict with a partner

Study suggests lack of positive feelings during social interactions could help explain isolation in people with suicidality

Contrary to popular belief, recent psychology findings suggest aggression isn’t always tied to a lack of self-control

Currently Playing

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Body Image and Body Dysmorphia
New psychology research shows how narcissistic tendencies influence perceptions of intellectual humility

New psychology research shows how narcissistic tendencies influence perceptions of intellectual humility

Narcissism
Unintended pregnancies take a toll on the mental health of new fathers

Unintended pregnancies take a toll on the mental health of new fathers

Mental Health
New study provides insight into the psychological core of dark personality traits

Four distinct trajectories of psychopathic traits identified among youth in the legal system

Psychopathy
Social working memory abnormalities may be a neurocognitive mechanism underlying poorer social connection in PTSD

Exposure to wood smoke leads to complex and long-lasting neuroinflammatory and neurometabolomic alterations

Mental Health
People who were better supervised by parents as early adolescents tend to have higher earnings as adults

People who were better supervised by parents as early adolescents tend to have higher earnings as adults

Business
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist