Demographic and psychosexual characteristics of participants in bondage and discipline, “sadomasochism” or dominance and submission (BDSM): Data from a national survey.

In Australia, between 2001 and 2002, a comprehensive study interviewed a representative sample of 19,307 individuals aged 16–59 years via telephone to explore the sexual behavior correlates of bondage and discipline, “sadomasochism,” or dominance and submission (BDSM), a practice often misunderstood as indicative of damage or danger by many professionals. The aim was to investigate whether involvement in BDSM, reported by 1.8% of sexually active respondents (2.2% men, 1.3% women) in the past year, correlated with a history of sexual coercion, sexual difficulties, or psychological issues. Using weighted data analyzed through univariate logistic regression, the study found that BDSM was more prevalent among gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals and was associated with a broader range of sexual experiences, including oral and anal sex, multiple partners, infidelity, and activities like phone sex, visiting Internet sex sites, watching X-rated content, using sex toys, engaging in group sex, or practicing manual anal stimulation, fisting, or rimming. Contrary to assumptions, however, participants in BDSM were not more likely to have been sexually coerced, nor were they significantly more unhappy or anxious; in fact, men involved in BDSM exhibited lower psychological distress compared to others, and no notable link was found with sexual difficulties. These findings suggest that BDSM is not a pathological symptom tied to past abuse or issues with conventional sex but rather a sexual interest or subculture embraced by a minority.