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Francesca Tripodi, Facts and Prejudices on Sexuality of People Practicing BDSM, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 14, Issue Supplement_4b, May 2017, Page e232, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.04.119
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Extract
Published studies showed good psychological health of people involved in BDSM activities; nevertheless, BDSM practitioners still meet the prejudice of many health care professionals because of their sexual preferences. Moreover, there is a lack of research on sexual functioning and associated distress among BDSMers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions, related distress and sexual satisfaction in BDSMers compared with no BDSMers. Given the centrality of the relational component in BDSM, we evaluated the adult attachment styles in relation to the preferred roles and practices.
An anonymous on-line protocol was used, including: a self-reported questionnaire to assess demographic and psychosocial factors, favourite and most frequent BDSM practices; the SCS-W, SSS-W for woman and SCS-M, SSS-M for man to assess sexual dysfunctions, distress, and satisfaction; the ECR-R in order to evaluate their adult attachment styles in relationships.
266 BDSMer (141 men - 125 women) and 613 no-BDSMer (270 men - 343 women) fulfilled the questionnaire. The BDSMer group seem to be more satisfied with sexuality and sexual functioning, with higher scores for dominant subjects if compared with submissive and controls. The greater communication between BDSMers about theirs own sexual desires and needs, as well as preferences, seem to play an important role in determining these results. Also, BDSM context requires the explicit consent of the players regarding the type of behaviours to be performed. Additional research is needed to clarify in which way the sexual distress is related to the role, the practices and gender.