CARAS Endorsement of Research: Comfort and Engagement in U.S. BDSM Communities

CARAS RAC Review R2019-03, Comfort and Engagement in U.S. BDSM Communities.

CARAS is pleased to announce the CARAS Research Advisory Committee (RAC) endorsement of the research project Comfort and Engagement in U.S. BDSM Communities, a study conducted by Katherine Martinez, Ph.D., and Nastasia Santana of the Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy, Metropolitan State University of Denver. The RAC determined that the study meets CARAS criteria for endorsement of research: scientific merit, ethical conduct, and potential for community benefit.

RAC members participating in this review were: Robert Bienvenu, Ph.D. (Chair); Bert Cutler, Ph.D.; Christopher King, Ph.D.; Richard Sprott, Ph.D.; and Alisa Swindell, M.A..

Study Abstract

Previous research in “alternative sexualities” specific to bondage, discipline, dominance/submission, sadism, and masochism (BDSM) have spanned several decades with regard to describing what the practice looks and feels like, and what the kink identity means to participants across the world. The objective of this study is to expand upon this research by focusing on issues of comfort, engagement, and belonging in various BDSM spaces (i.e., public, private, and online) and communities. Further, the study will conduct comparative analyses of people of color (POC) and non-POC experiences with comfort, engagement, and belonging in BDSM, in an effort to better address the more recent call by researchers to center race/ethnicity in BDSM research.

Participants should be 18 years of age or older and identify as a BDSM practitioner in the United States.

To participate in the study, please visit https://msudenver.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3OAOz3KpkcqCUip