The Prevalence and Effects of Self-Reported Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Sadomasochistically Oriented Males and Females

The prevalence and consequences of self-reported sexual abuse among 164 male and 22 female practitioners of sadomasochistic sex was explored. A questionnaire exploring psychological health, social adjustment, and sexual behavior was distributed among members of two sadomasochistically oriented clubs. The results showed that the prevalence of self-reported sexual abuse was higher among the participants as compared to the general Finnish population norms. Also, the participants that reported abuse were more likely to have attempted suicide, to have sought psychological support, and to have visited a physician due to physical injuries. Self-reported sexual abuse was also associated with poorer social adjustment, and higher sexual neuroticism. Further, the higher the frequency of abuse, the poorer the body image of the abused male participants. In conclusion, even though the majority of the participants did not report childhood sexual abuse, it had adverse consequences and altered some aspects of the sexual behavior of the individuals that had been abused.