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

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dc.contributor.authorOuellette, Emily M.
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
dc.contributor.supervisorMcPhail, Ian
dc.contributor.supervisorLeca, Jean-Baptiste
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-24T17:29:12Z
dc.date.available2024-09-24T17:29:12Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractParaphilias 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.
dc.embargoNo
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/6909
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education
dc.publisher.facultyEducation
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education)
dc.subjectstigma-related stressors
dc.subjectparaphilic behaviours
dc.subjectparaphilic interests
dc.subjectparaphilic engagement and stigma
dc.subjectstigma and paraphilia
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.subject.lcshParaphilias--Research
dc.subject.lcshStigma (Social psychology)--Research
dc.subject.lcshStress (Psychology)--Research
dc.titleThe relationship between stigma and engaging in paraphilic behaviours that align with paraphilic interests
dc.typeThesis
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