Exploring BDSM: New study traces participants’ evolving engagement and practices

In a new study published in the Journal of Sex Research, researchers have mapped the intricate journey of individuals engaging in Bondage/Discipline, Domination/Submission, and Sadism/Masochism (BDSM), highlighting the diverse paths and motivations behind these practices. The findings shed light on the complexity of BDSM participation, revealing a multi-faceted process that begins with initial exposure, often in adolescence, and evolves into varied forms of engagement ranging from private to public activities.

There has been a growing awareness and acceptance of BDSM as a non-pathological part of social and cultural activities, but there’s been a lack of detailed understanding of the motivations, experiences, and demographics of those involved in these practices. By conducting this study, researchers aimed to provide insights into the prevalence and nature of BDSM participation, breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions.

“While depictions within popular culture have reduced stigma experienced by those who engage in BDSM, it is still often looked at as taboo and even criminal in some regions of the world,” said study author Bryce Westlake, an associate professor at San Jose State University. “Prior research on BDSM participation has predominantly investigated it within a sexual context, which fails to present a full picture as many engage in BDSM outside of sexual activity. My interest comes from a desire to provide a more well-rounded depiction of BDSM to help further reduce stigma and describe BDSM beyond sex.”

The study was conducted through a detailed survey, developed from a combination of literature reviews and interviews with community leaders involved in BDSM. The survey, which included a total of 102 questions across nine themes, was carefully crafted to cover a wide range of topics from demographics to mental health, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the participants’ experiences.

The survey was distributed via Qualtrics and advertised across various platforms, including BDSM and kink-specific websites and social media, to ensure a diverse range of responses. To ensure privacy and confidentiality, all tracking settings in Qualtrics were disabled.

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The researchers made sure that all questions were optional, respecting the potential sensitivity of the topics for the participants. They also took extra steps to ensure that the language used in the survey was inclusive and sensitive to various cultural, racial, gender, and sexual identities. The final sample included 810 participants from 43 different countries, aged in range from 18 to 80, with an average age of 39.6.

Overall, the progression into BDSM appeared to be a gradual process that spanned several years. The journey into BDSM often starts at a relatively young age. On average, participants reported first learning about BDSM around the age of 18.4 years. After learning about BDSM, there is generally a period before individuals develop a deeper interest in it. The study found that the average age when participants started to fantasize or become interested in BDSM was about 20.7 years.

Translating this interest into actual participation in BDSM activities takes additional time. Participants reported that they began participating in BDSM activities privately at an average age of 24.4 years. A further step in the BDSM journey is participating in activities within public or community settings. The study revealed that this typically occurs later, with an average starting age of 30 years.

While the average ages provide a general timeline, the study also noted variability in these patterns. Some individuals start their BDSM journey at a younger age, while others may not begin exploring BDSM until later in life.

The most frequently cited reason for participating in BDSM was personal enjoyment and fun. This indicates that many individuals engage in BDSM activities primarily because they find them pleasurable and enjoyable in a non-sexual sense. But, while not the primary driver for all participants, sexual gratification was still a significant purpose for many. A notable portion of participants also viewed BDSM as an essential part of their identity. They expressed that BDSM was something intrinsic to who they are, often describing it as a ‘need’ or a crucial aspect of their personal fulfillment.

Participants in BDSM activities reported engaging with a variety of partners, not limited to romantic or sexual ones. The most common type of co-participant was a romantic or sexual partner. However, a significant number of practitioners also engaged in BDSM activities with BDSM-only partners (partners specifically for BDSM activities, with no romantic or sexual relationship), friends, strangers (often in public or community settings), and even alone.

“BDSM is participated in by all demographics around the world and the journey from fantasizing about BDSM to participating in BDSM occurs over an extended period,” Westlake told PsyPost. “For many, this process begins through self-introduction as a teenager, but for some, introduction comes later in life (i.e., after 30), often facilitated by a romantic partner. There are a variety of reasons why people engage in BDSM, with personal enjoyment and fun being more common than sexual gratification. Importantly, people participate in BDSM with a variety of others beyond a romantic partner, including BDSM-only partners, friends, strangers, and even alone.”

The study also revealed diverse demographics and predictors shaping individuals’ involvement in these practices. Key findings indicated that younger generations, especially Generation Z, engage in BDSM at earlier ages, with variations based on sexual orientation, geography, and income. People of Color tended to start participating at younger ages compared to White individuals, and gender also played a role, with females and transgender individuals often beginning private BDSM participation earlier.

Participants reported engaging in a wide range of BDSM activities. The most regularly participated in activity was ‘impact play’ (involving striking the body), followed by activities like rope bondage, breath control, and consensual non-consent scenarios.

One of the most significant findings was the link between a practitioner’s years of BDSM experience and the diversity of their activities. Those with more experience in the BDSM community tended to engage in a broader range of activities, especially riskier or ‘edge’ play activities, such as medical play.

“A person’s purpose and types of activities participated in evolve over time, with people engaging in riskier activities as their experience increases,” Westlake said. “BDSM also functions to help build stronger connections between romantic partners, including increased trust, intimacy, communication, and needs/wants fulfillment.”

While the study offers significant insights, it is not without its limitations. The majority of the participants were predominantly from the USA, Canada, and the UK, and were primarily White, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other cultures and racial groups. Additionally, the reliance on self-reporting in surveys can sometimes lead to biased responses.

Future research could focus on a more diverse sample to understand cultural and racial differences in BDSM practices. It could also explore the changes in motivations and practices over a person’s lifetime, providing a more dynamic understanding of BDSM participation.

“While the survey included participants from 43 different countries, it is largely representative of English-speaking participants and those in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom,” Westlake explained. “We do not have a lot of information about differences in non-English-speaking and non-Western countries.”

“With the size of the survey, we have plenty of additional questions that we will be exploring over the next couple of months. One is the role of pornography in initially learning about BDSM and how it impacts participants safety practices over time. Another is the benefits participants experience engaging in BDSM, including relief from chronic pain, coping with mental health difficulties, processing prior trauma, and self-growth/esteem/confidence.”

The study, “An International Survey of BDSM Practitioner Demographics: The Evolution of Purpose for, Participation in, and Engagement with, Kink Activities“, was authored by Bryce Westlake and Isabella Mahan.