New cross-national research published in Psychology and Sexuality finds that relationship context, education level and specific roles in BDSM scenes are closely tied to sexual satisfaction among kink practitioners in Chile and Spain. The study challenges persistent stigma by framing BDSM as a consensual, relational practice rather than deviant behavior.
The authors report that people engaged in BDSM and kink often experience sexual well-being equal to or higher than that of the general population. Their work emphasizes that understanding these subcultures is essential for creating more inclusive sexual health models and reducing discrimination in clinical and social settings.
Study Design And Participants
The research team conducted an online, cross-sectional survey focusing on three areas: demographics, general sexuality and specific BDSM and kink behaviors. Participants reported their relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity and education level, alongside detailed questions about their practices and fantasies.
Two samples were analyzed. In Chile, 543 participants were surveyed between June and July 2020, with an average age of approximately 24 years. In Spain, 233 participants were surveyed between November 2024 and January 2025, with an average age of nearly 38 years and a notably higher rate of university education.
To assess sexual well-being, both groups completed a standardized measure of sexual satisfaction, while the Spanish sample also completed a separate scale measuring sexual pleasure. Respondents identified their BDSM role as dominant, submissive or switch and reported the frequency and variety of their activities during the previous four months.
Roles, Fantasies And Practices
Participants described which practices they found sexually arousing and which they actually engaged in. This allowed researchers to measure the gap between fantasy and behavior, known as arousal-behavior discordance, a key concept in kink communities where negotiation and consent play central roles.
Common activities across both countries included spanking and the use of sex toys, usually with established partners and most often in private settings. The Spanish sample reported a wider range of practices and more lifetime BDSM partners, likely reflecting their older average age and greater access to organized kink communities.
Despite differences in actual behaviors, both groups reported similar numbers of arousing fantasies and a comparable gap between what they desired and what they practiced. More technically complex or intense activities, such as rope bondage, were more commonly fantasized about than performed, suggesting practical and skill-related barriers.
Some highly stigmatized activities, including medical play and coprophilia, were rarely rated as arousing and were seldom practiced. This finding suggests that even within alternative sexual subcultures, certain niche behaviors remain uncommon and do not reflect the experiences of most BDSM practitioners.
Who Takes Part In BDSM?
Demographic analysis revealed that both Chilean and Spanish kink practitioners were more likely than their national populations to identify as non-heterosexual and non-cisgender. They also reported lower levels of religious affiliation, consistent with previous research involving sexual minority communities.
Education levels stood out particularly in Spain, where more than 60 percent of respondents held a university degree, significantly higher than the national average. The Chilean sample also exceeded national averages in higher education, supporting earlier findings that BDSM communities often attract individuals with higher educational attainment.
Researchers argue that this educational profile may provide better access to information, online networks and in-person communities. These resources can support safer exploration, stronger negotiation skills and greater confidence in pursuing diverse sexual interests.
What Predicts Sexual Satisfaction?
Across both countries, relationship status emerged as the strongest predictor of sexual satisfaction. Participants in both monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships reported higher satisfaction than those who were not partnered, highlighting the importance of relational bonds in sexual well-being.
The frequency of BDSM activities also showed a positive association with sexual satisfaction. The authors caution that this does not mean more activity is always better, but rather that greater participation within consensual and positive experiences appears linked to higher overall satisfaction with one’s sex life.
The Chilean sample reported slightly higher satisfaction scores than the Spanish group. Researchers suggest this may partly reflect age differences, as sexual satisfaction in the broader population often declines gradually with age. Nevertheless, Spanish participants still reported moderate to high levels of satisfaction.
Within the Spanish sample, additional predictors of sexual pleasure emerged. Higher educational attainment and bisexual orientation were associated with greater pleasure, alongside identifying as submissive or switch rather than exclusively dominant. These findings point to nuanced dynamics involving power exchange and sexual fulfillment.
Power Dynamics And Pleasure
The association between submissive or switch roles and higher sexual pleasure offers insight into how participants experience power exchange. The study emphasizes that submission in BDSM is typically an active, consensual choice rooted in trust, communication and clearly defined boundaries, rather than passivity or victimization.
Submissive and switching roles may encourage a stronger focus on bodily sensations and emotional intensity, enhancing pleasure. Engaging in negotiated power exchange can also strengthen communication between partners, allowing activities to be tailored more closely to individual desires and limits.
The authors note that greater diversity of practices, often supported by higher education and better access to information, may further contribute to sexual pleasure. Exposure to broader communities can normalize exploration and help individuals align their fantasies more closely with their lived experiences.
Minority Stress And Ongoing Stigma
One notable finding in the Spanish sample was a negative association between identifying as non-binary and sexual satisfaction. Researchers interpret this as a possible consequence of minority stress, where discrimination and social invisibility negatively affect overall well-being, including intimate relationships.
The study emphasizes that BDSM and kink practitioners continue to face significant stigma in healthcare, education and social services. Many participants may hesitate to disclose their practices to doctors or therapists due to fears of judgment or misunderstanding, potentially limiting access to appropriate care.
The authors argue that reducing stigma requires better professional education about BDSM as a consensual and diverse form of sexuality rather than an inherently harmful behavior. They also suggest that broader consent education could benefit from adopting communication practices commonly used within kink communities.
Limits And Future Research
The researchers acknowledge several important limitations. Online convenience sampling may overrepresent individuals who are already connected to BDSM networks, limiting the ability to generalize findings to all kink practitioners or national populations.
Data collection also occurred four years apart in Chile and Spain, meaning changing social attitudes between 2020 and 2024 may have influenced some results. Minor differences in survey design further complicate direct statistical comparisons between the two countries.
Despite these limitations, the authors view the study as part of a broader effort to better understand the experiences and needs of sexually diverse populations, including BDSM communities, sex workers and people who engage in chemsex. They call for more longitudinal and qualitative research to explore how stigma, consent and community support influence sexual well-being over time.
