Citation

Brown SL, Roush JF, Mitchell SM, Cukrowicz KC. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2017; 73(12): 1642-1654.

Affiliation

Texas Tech University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jclp.22461

PMID

28295301

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism (BDSM) practitioners are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We hypothesized the association between (a) lifetime frequency of BDSM-related sexual behaviors and (b) BDSM identification and suicide attempt status would be mediated by acquired capability components (i.e., fearlessness about death and pain tolerance). Gender differences were examined.

METHOD: Participants were 576 BDSM practitioners (meanage = 28.71; 66.7% male) recruited from online BDSM-related groups, cross-sectionally.

RESULTS: Among males, the total indirect effect of acquired capability components in the relation between BDSM-related sexual behaviors and suicide attempt status was significant. The specific indirect effect of perceived pain tolerance in the relation between both BDSM-related sexual behaviors and BDSM identification and suicide attempt status was significant. There were no significant effects for females. Additionally, 12% reported a suicide attempt history.

CONCLUSION: Among males, BDSM-related sexual behaviors and BDSM identification were associated with increased acquired capability components, which were positively associated with suicide attempt status.

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

BDSM; acquired capability for suicide; fearlessness about death; interpersonal theory of suicide; suicide