Sexual Arousal in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Its Relationship with Sexual Cognitions of Domination and Submission

This study aimed to examine, in cisgender men who have sex with men, the association of positive (PSC) and negative (NSC) sexual cognitions of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection, in the contexts of solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. A sample of 253 men, aged 18 to 67 years old, completed an online survey assessing the frequency of PSC and NSC and their sexual functioning in solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. Mixed linear models were used to analyze the association of PSC and NSC of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in both contexts. The results revealed, first, a lack of association between PSC and arousal/erection, except for a negative relationship with a submission PSC (“being sexually victimized”). Regarding NSCs, on one hand, a positive relationship of a specific dominance cognition (“whipping or spanking someone”) with arousal and erection was found. On the other hand, a negative association of a specific submission cognition (“being whipped or spanked”) with arousal was found. Furthermore, the interaction of this NSC of domination with the context was significant. These results are discussed in the context of sexual aggression and victimization in the gay population.