About This Project

Kink-involved people engage in atypical erotic activities such as bondage, rough sex, and fetish activities that might risk injury. However, we know very little about the rate of injury for people who engage in these activities or their healthcare experiences. Patterns of anticipated stigma, delay or avoidance of care, and concealment of kink/BDSM fit the Minority Stress Model; kink-identified people should be considered a sexual minority for the purposes of healthcare.

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Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

In 2016, TASHRA conducted the first ever health survey of the U.S. kink community, examining issues of injuries, risky behavior, health status, and healthcare access and utilization, and patient satisfaction. It included measures of kink identity centrality, coming out, and kink community involvement as predictive factors

The 2016 Kink Health Survey results indicated the following :

● The percentage of people who reported past experiences of kink-related injury : 13.5%

● The percentage of people who reported delaying or avoiding healthcare because of perceived stigma: 19.0%.

● Participants had not disclosed their kink identity or behavior with their physical healthcare clinician (58.3%), nor with their mental healthcare clinician (49.6%).

What is the significance of this project?

Over 50% people have kinky fantasies, at least some of the time, and about 10-15% of people engage in kinky behavior. Because of the stigma attached to these interests and behaviors, people often avoid care or experience poor quality healthcare. By examining the health impact of kinky behaviors, and documenting health disparities for this marginalized sexual minority population, we can improve the health and well-being of people who are kink-involved. The study will help in the training of medical and mental health professionals, when working with kink-involved people.

What are the goals of the project?

The study will document the nature of injuries that arise during kinky sexual encounters and BDSM scenes. What injuries or medical complications occur?

Another goal is to document the healthcare experiences of kink-involved people. Do they come out, or conceal, their involvement? Are they satisfied with their care, or do they experience prejudice and discrimination?

Our longitudinal study will follow a large cohort of people (n=3,200) for at least five years to answer these questions, using surveys.

Results will be presented in community forums for the kink community, in journals such as the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the Journal of Sex Research, the Journal of Public Health, and the Journal for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.