Discriminating Coercive from Sadomasochistic Sexuality

Abstract

Sadomasochistic (SM) sexual interest is reported by a wide range of individuals. Within the sex offender literature, the presence of SM interest is often viewed as a herald of criminal sexual behavior; however, research indicates that SM interests are not predictive of coercive sexual behavior. In the current study, we measured a range of sexual fantasies and behaviors, and then applied cluster analyses to determine (1) if individuals endorsed elevated SM interests also endorsed coercive fantasies and, (2) to explore cluster membership correlates using measures of sensation seeking, externalizing and antisocial behaviors, attitudes toward rape, and empathic capacity. A total of 550 participants were recruited through a variety of on-line discussion areas. A four cluster solution best fit the data with distinct clusters observed for those endorsing SM behaviors and those reporting coercive sexual behavior. Additional analyses revealed greater endorsement of victim blaming attitudes and lower empathic concern among members of the coercive sexual behavior cluster. Elevated sensation seeking and externalizing behaviors were reported by members of clusters marked by SM and coercive sexual behavior. Results provide further support for the differentiation between SM and coercive sexual behaviors as representative of individuals with divergent attitudes, traits, and behaviors.

Bondage-Discipline, Dominance-Submission and Sadomasochism (BDSM) From an Integrative Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Systematic Review

“…Words referring to sex primed faster responses for submissive words in women, leading the authors to conclude that women implicitly associated sex with submission, an association not found in men. It was also demonstrated that many adolescent girls, but not boys, report assuming a submissive role during their first sexual experiences 94, 95. In this line, being dominated and overpowered by a man is one of the most common sexual fantasies among women 67, 92, 96.…”

The Role of Consent in the Context of BDSM

“…Another study examined a range of sexual fantasies and behaviors and applied cluster analyses to ascertain whether individuals who endorse elevated SM interests also endorsed coercive fantasies (Martin et al, 2016). Four clusters of participants emerged: a group reporting elevated interest in SM without coercion ( n = 117), a group reporting elevated SM activity without coercion ( n = 138), a group endorsing high levels of coercive fantasy and behavior ( n = 57), and a group endorsing no interest in coercive fantasy or SM ( n = 238).…”

“…Authors have argued that the hallmark feature distinguishing BDSM from abuse and psychopathology is consent (Connolly, 2006; Newmahr, 2011; Ortmann & Sprott, 2012; Taylor & Ussher, 2001). The practice of mutually defined and agreed-upon behaviors is said to be primary qualities that delineate BDSM from coercive sex (Cross & Matheson, 2006; Martin, Smith, & Quirk, 2016; M. S. Weinberg, Williams, & Moser, 1984; Yost, 2010).…”

The Covariation of Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Among Self-Identified Sexually Aggressive Criminal and Noncriminal Samples

“…More recent research has supported these results, as individuals who endorsed rape myths, hold negative attitudes toward women, and hold heteronormative beliefs were most likely to support the use of coercion and report engaging in sexual coercion (DeGue et al, 2010;Eaton & Matamala, 2014;Nunes et al, 2013;Tomaszewska & Krahé, 2018;Young et al, 2017). Such individuals have reported generally higher levels of coercive sexual fantasies (Martin et al, 2016), negative attitudes toward women, objectification of women, and aggressive, delinquent, and promiscuous behavior (DeGue & DiLillo, 2004;Vasquez et al, 2018). Men who perceive sexual coercion as acceptable among their peers have also been found to be more likely to engage in sexually coercive acts (Strang et al, 2013).…”