Prevalence of BDSM in Finland and its association with BDSM interest and personality traits

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.2015745

Commentary

Past research has shown that interest in BDSM (bondage-discipline, domination-submission, sadomasochism) is high in several European countries, and that these practices are not uncommon. research results on the personality of those interested in BDSM activities appear to be limited. These individuals have been shown to have higher overall well-being and are more highly educated than the general population.

The current study was examining BDSM interest and practice in a Finnish sample. (n = 8,137, age range 18-60, M = 30.14, SD = 8.08)

From these samples, we were also investigating the relationship between BDSM interest and personality as measured by the 6-factor personality measure HEXACO. Results indicated that a total of 38% of the sample was interested in BDSM sex, with nonheterosexual individuals expressing almost twice as much interest than heterosexual individuals, and up to 83% more participation in BDSM.

These younger participants (ages 18-28) were shown to be almost three times as likely as older participants to express interest.

There were some associations between BDSM interest and personality factors, but these effect sizes were modest.