As some of my readers may know, in addition to my work as a therapist, and writer, I also conduct research in the field of sexuality. It is important for my work to be well-rounded, as both my work with clients and my writing is reflective of and informed by current research within both psychology and sexuality.

With this in mind, I have put together a high-level research team to investigate areas of sexuality that continue to remain question marks within the field and that may fall within the blind spots of clinicians when they come across clients that they may not accurately or clearly understand.

In this particular study, my team and I are investigating the murky area of BDSM, specifically intense sensation play, such as spanking, flogging, and whipping, etc, which is a common activity within the BDSM community.

I have written much on the topic of BDSM/kink/fetishes since it is so poorly understood and often unfairly pathologized by well-meaning, but misinformed clinicians, as well as the public at large. For some further reading and additional context, you can take a look at these other articles I have written on this subject:

Kinky Sex or Paraphilia?
Facing Your Shadow
Ecstasy Through Surrender
The Use of Role-Play as a Means of Identity Exploration
Sexually “Deviant” Fantasies: A Concept Without Credibility
New Study: “Unusual” Sexual Fantasies Not So Unusual
Is It Possible to Eradicate a Fetish?
More on Working with Fetishes: Important Considerations
BDSM or Abuse?
Vice.com: Cash Slaves
Gray Areas in Sexuality: When is a Fetish “Too Extreme?”

I’ve written much more on this topic, but this will give you enough material for a little while! Hopefully these items will be a good resource to anyone who is looking for a more nuanced perspective into their own sexuality, along with some tools towards self-acceptance. Also, in support of this mission, I am co-producing the AltSex NYC Conference, April 22 of this year, to provide both community and clinical groups with informed cutting-edge research into this subject area.

Alright, that’s enough self-promotion for the moment. Let’s get back to what this particular study is all about. Here’s the context. For many clinicians in the mental health field, those who engage in intense sensation play of BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism) are often co-mingled and conflated with behaviors of those who engage in self-harming behavior. As a result, individuals who belong to the BDSM subculture are often pathologized and misunderstood in clinical settings, and so may find themselves without adequate psychological care.

In order to address this issue, we are conducting a study comparing the experiences and behaviors of those who engage/have engaged in intense sensation play in the context of kink/BDSM and those who engage non-suicidal self-injury.

We have created a survey (link is below) that consists of a brief questionnaire along with several psychological instruments that help us understand the context of the behaviors we are studying in a more comprehensive way. If any readers know of anyone who fits into one of these categories, please do not hesitate to distribute this article to that individual. I’ll leave it at that for the moment, and simply provide the most relevant information below.

Thanks in advance!

 

Click here to take this survey!

If the above hyperlink does not work, copy and paste the following URL into your browser:https://uwstout.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5q1GgTf9bUHeGy1

 

 

Detailed Description of Survey

TITLE: Differences between BDSM Participants and Individuals who Engage in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Michael Aaron, Ph.D.

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Dulcinea Pitagora & Markie L. C. Twist (Blumer), Ph.D.

IRB ADMINISTRATOR: Elizabeth Buchanan, University of Wisconsin-Stout

 

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND 

The purpose of this research study is to understand the similarities and differences between the motivations, relational experiences, childhood histories, and characteristics of individuals who engage in intense BDSM sensation play and those who do or have engaged in non-suicidal self-injury behavior. Specifically the research study aims to understand the reasons and motivations behind these behaviors as well as the personality characteristics of those who engage in these behaviors. You are being asked to participate in this study because you identify as a BDSM participant who enjoys receiving intense sensation play or you have had a history of engaging in non-suicidal self-injury behavior or you engage in both kinds of activities.

 

PROCEDURES

You will be asked to complete an online survey housed on Qualtrics. Your participation is voluntary and your information shared will be kept confidential. Please answer the questions as openly and honestly as possible. The survey will take 30-35 minutes to complete. If you close your browser, you will lose any responses you previously entered. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Please note that you can choose to withdraw from participating at any time.