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Somebody's Fetish: Self-Objectification and Body Satisfaction Among Consensual Sadomasochists
1a Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Journal of Sex Research
|January 27, 2015
Summary
Consensual sadomasochism participants reported varied sexual objectification experiences based on gender and identity. This suggests BDSM may offer an environment free from negative impacts of Western beauty standards.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Sexuality Studies
Background:
- Scholars suggest consensual sadomasochists (CSM) experience sexual objectification differently.
- Western beauty ideals often negatively impact body satisfaction and self-objectification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore self-objectification and body satisfaction in consensual sadomasochists.
- To examine how gender, sexual orientation, and BDSM identity influence these experiences.
Main Methods:
- Online survey administered to 121 self-identified CSM (67 women).
- Measures included self-objectification, self-surveillance, body shame, body satisfaction, and body mass index (BMI).
- Participants identified as dominant, submissive, or switch.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in sexual objectification experiences were found based on gender, sexual orientation, and CSM identity.
- Body satisfaction and self-objectification varied across these demographic and identity groups.
Conclusions:
- Consensual sadomasochism may provide a context where individuals are partially liberated from the adverse effects of societal beauty standards.
- Further research is needed to understand the nuanced relationship between BDSM practices and psychological well-being.
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