The relationship between stigma and engaging in paraphilic behaviours that align with paraphilic interests

Paraphilias are intense and persistent sexual interests that are considered atypical and are experienced by a significant proportion of the population. A notable percentage of people who experience paraphilic interests do not engage in sexual behaviours that align with their paraphilic interests. As paraphilic interests are stigmatized sexualities—and stigma can affect interpersonal behaviour—stigma may be a factor that is associated with why people do or do not engage in paraphilic behaviours related to their paraphilic interests. In a sample of 290 participants, the present study investigated the associations between internalized stigma, perceived stigma, fear of discovery, as well as concealment and engagement in sexual behaviours that align with their paraphilic interests (i.e., sexual behaviour with a partner, pornography usage, and masturbation). The present study found that partnered paraphilic behaviour was typically negatively associated with stigma-related stressors across most paraphilic interests, while masturbation and pornography usage tended to be positively associated with stigma-related stressors. The stigma-related stressors explained a significant proportion of the variance in engagement of paraphilic behaviours; however, individually, the stigma-related stressors did not account for a significant amount of unique variance in paraphilic behaviour. The findings suggest that for people with paraphilic interests, stigma-related stressors may interfere with sexual behaviour that includes a relational component. Conversely, stigma processes are paired with increased solo sexual activity. The present study is the start of understanding the associations between stigma-related stressors and engagement in paraphilic behaviour.

Authors

• Ouellette, Emily M.
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education

• stigma-related stressors
• paraphilic behaviours
• paraphilic interests
• paraphilic engagement and stigma
• stigma and paraphilia

Identifier

hdl:10133/6909

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/6909