Attachment, childhood trauma, and adverse childhood experiences as predictors of sadomasochism

Sadomasochism (SM) is a sexual behavior that involves sadistic and masochistic practices. While SM has been widely studied in the literature, little is known about its expression and predictors in the Arab world. This study aims to identify predictors of sadomasochism, by evaluating attachment (Sample 1), adverse childhood experiences (Sample 1), and childhood trauma (Sample 2). Sample 1 consisted of 113 participants aged between 18 and 65 and revealed that attachment insecurity and adverse childhood experiences predicted sadomasochistic tendencies in adulthood. Sample 2, consisting of 121 participants within the same age range, showed that childhood trauma predicted engagement in sadomasochistic behaviors. Our findings suggest that adverse and traumatic childhood experiences may shape adult sexual behaviors, with sadomasochism potentially serving as a coping mechanism used to transform previously painful experiences into sources of control or pleasurable. Future research should explore the role of protective factors, and the psychological meaning of sadomasochistic behaviors among adults with histories of childhood adversity.