Freud and Krafft-Ebing’s (picture) theories about self-harming masochists and antisocial SM-sadists was not supported (Cross & Matheson 2006).
“Indeed, if anything, our findings suggested that members of the BDSM community are less likely than others to present with major disorders.” Connolly et al (2003).
“It might just be that [sadomasochistic men] are more in harmony with themselves because they're into something unusual and are comfortable with that. There's a lot to be said for accepting who you are.” Dr. Juliet Richters of the University of New South Wales.
“The study helps break down the reigning stereotype that people into bondage and discipline were damaged as children". Dr. Juliet Richters of the University of New South Wales.
| Get involved! The purpose of the ReviseF65 project is to remove Fetishism, Transvestism and Sadomasochism as psychiatric diagnoses from the International Classification of Diseases published by the World Health Organization. Contact ReviseF65 Join the discussion group What's new? To the main page Revisef65 is not responsible for links to external internet sites. We do not have any control over their contents that can be changed by others. Please tell us if you find racist, nazi, bareback or illegal links, and we will remove them. |
There is no evidence that SM/fetish people have a higher degree of psychopathology than the rest of the population. As opposed to traditional theories, new research suggest that BDSM'ers are less likely than others to suffer from major psychopathology.
Cross and Matheson (2006):
Cross and Matheson (2006) found no support for the traditional theories that sadomasochism is an illness.
The researchers found no evidence for the psychopathology/medical-model contention that masochists suffer from any kind of mental disorder and that SM-sadists are antisocial (Krafft-Ebing 1886/1965).There was no support for the traditional psychoanalytic view of self-harming and guilt-ridden masochists or id-driven and psychopatic SM-sadists (Freud 1900/1906/1953/1954).
Cross and Matheson neither found any evidence for Baumeister’s contention that masochists were more inclined to engage in escapist behaviors such as drug-taking, day-dreaming, or fantasizing than the comparison group (Baumeister 1988, 1989).
Cross and Matheson did however find that SM participants were overall more likely than non-SM respondents to report bisexual/homosexual orientations.
No evidence was found suggesting that sadomasochists espoused anti-feminist, patriarchal values or traditional gender roles to a greater extent that the non-SM-group.
And the sadomasochists were relatively more likely to be in ongoing relationships than the comparison group.
Patricia A. Cross PhD and Kim Matheson PhD in the book “Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures” (2006), published simultaneously as the Journal of Homosexuality, Vol. 50, Nos. 2/3.)
Connolly et al (2003):Results from a research project by Dr. Pamela Connolly (picture) et al, among a group with bondage and sadomasochistic interests (BDSM) showed that
“no evidence was found to support the notion that major disorders -- including depression, anxiety, mania/bipolarity, and obsessive-compulsivity -- are more prevalent among members of the BDSM community than among members of the general population”.
“Indeed, if anything, our findings suggested that members of the BDSM community are less likely than others to present with major disorders.”
Moreover, BDSM players had no greater levels of psychological sadism or masochism, disorders in which the sufferer either derives pleasure out of genuine cruelty (not the play-acting kind) or compulsively seeks out harmful levels of pain.
Connolly, P.H.; Haley, H.; Gendelman, J.; Miller, J. (2003): Psychological health in BDSM communities. In press, The Journal of Homosexuality www.lasexualitycenter.com/currentprojects/bsdm.htm
Richters et al 2003:A survey using computer-assisted telephone interviews with 20,000 Australian men and women presented at the World Association of Sexual Health congress in Sydney April 15-19, 2007, showed that BDSM may actually make men happier.
Men into BDSM scored significantly better on a scale of psychological wellbeing than other men.
BDSM’ers were no more likely to have suffered sexual difficulties, sexual abuse or coercion or anxiety than other Australians.
- This seems to imply that these men are actually happier as a result of their behaviour, though we're not sure why, said Dr. Juliet Richters (picture), of the University of New South Wales. “It might just be that they're more in harmony with themselves because they're into something unusual and are comfortable with that. There's a lot to be said for accepting who you are.”
Researchers said the study helps break down the reigning stereotype that people into bondage and discipline were damaged as children and were therefore “dysfunctional”.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/kinky-you-cant-beat-it/2007/04/16/1176696736407.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,266344,00.html
Martins & Ceccarelli (2003):A study, presented at the 16th World Congress of Sexology in Cuba 10-14 March, 2003, suggests that non-conventional sexual practices cannot be used as a diagnosed criteria of any kind, which means that the only aspect that distinguishes these individuals from others is their sexual practices.
Picture: Maria Cristina Martins, Clinical Psychologist and Specialist in Human Sexuality. Campinas, SP, Brazil and Paulo Roberto Ceccarelli, Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, PhD in Psycopathology and Psychoanalysis by Paris VII, Paris, France.
www.revisef65.org/cuba1.html
Earlier studies:
According to Moser (1999), limited earlier studies show no differences in psychopathology between the S/M group and the control group. Gosselin & Wilson (1980), Miale (1986), Moser (1979).
http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/BIB/SM.htm#S/M_PRACT
C. Moser C. (1999). The Psychology of Sadomasochism (S/M). S. Wright, ed., SM Classics, New York, Masquerade Books 1999, p. 47-61.
Gosselin, C, & Wilson, G. (1980). Sexual variations. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Miale, J. P. (1986). An initial study of nonclinical practitioners of sexual sadomasochism. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, the Professional School of Psychological Studies, San Diego.
Moser, C. (1979). An exploratory-descriptive study of a self-defined S/M (sadomasochistic) sample. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco.
SM as a sexual orientation
Physicians and psychiatrists about SM as a valid expression of adult consensual sexuality and an important part of people’s sexual orientation.
http://members.aol.com/NOWSM/Psychiatrists.html