Current biopsychosocial science on understanding kink

Abstract

The field of kink (or BDSM) studies has grown significantly in recent years, with several areas of study being initiated. This paper summarizes the current state of kink research, including prevalence rates; marginalization and stigma; key biological, psychological, and social research findings; clinical issues; and recommendations for further research. Theoretical frameworks, such as minority stress, serious leisure, sexual orientation, personal growth, and sensation-seeking theories appear to be useful frameworks outside of approaches that assume psychopathology as an etiological factor. Studies find the following results: higher levels of sensation-seeking; kink activities generating states of flow and transient hypofrontality; notable levels of gender, sexual orientation, and relationship style diversity in kink samples; and higher levels of minority stress-related suicidality.

Keywords: BDSM; Kink; Serious leisure; Sexual Minority.