According to previous research, interest in BDSM (Bondage-Discipline, Dominance-Submission and
Sadomasochism) activities is high in several European countries and various BDSM practices are not
uncommon. There is limited amount of research on the personalities of BDSM practitioners, but in
previous research practitioners have been found to have better overall well-being and to be more
educated than the general population. The current study explored the prevalence of BDSM interest and
practice in a Finnish sample (n = 8,137, age range 18–60, M = 30.14, SD = 8.08) and investigated the
association between BDSM interest and personality measured with the six-factor personality measure
HEXACO. A total of 38% of the sample was interested in BDSM sex and non-heterosexual individuals
displayed almost twice as much interest and at most 83% more participation in BDSM than heterosexual
individuals. Younger participants (18–28 years old) displayed almost three times as much interest than
older participants. There were some associations between BDSM interest and personality factors, but the
effect sizes of these associations were modest. The study shows that BDSM interest is quite common
among the Finnish population.