A Correlational Model of Sadomasochistic Fantasies and Psychosocial Features among Male and Female Medical University Students

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Abstract

 

Background

Sadomasochistic fantasies are often stigmatized and not easily disclosed to friends and family members. Although the nature of these fantasies is still incompletely understood, more frequent unconventional sexual fantasies seem to be associated with male gender with non-heteronormative sexual orientation and with higher educational level.

 

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study in which subjects provided information through a self-reported questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. This tool included questions assessing sociodemographic characteristics, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the subscale “sadomasochistic fantasies” of the Wilson Sexual Fantasy Questionnaire. A total of 412 medical students aged 18 and over attending first through sixth year at a medical school were selected and recruited to participate.

 

Results

Non-heteronormativity and illicit drug use were directly and positively correlated with higher scores on sadomasochistic sexual fantasies. In addition, non-heteronormativity was a mediator variable in the model between being male and having higher scores on sadomasochistic sexual fantasies.

 

Conclusion

It is possible that unconventional sexual fantasies are more frequent in certain social groups, such as non-heteronormative males with high educational level. Although the use of psychoactive substances was correlated with sadomasochistic sexual fantasies, there are scarce scientific data to
support this finding.

 

Keywords: Sadomasochistic fantasies, University Students, Heteronormativity

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