Explaining Sexual Fantasy: What Predicts Submissive Fantasies for Women?

Abstract

In a set of three studies, we explore predictors of women’s interest in submissive sexual fantasies and, also, provide an in-depth investigation of the role of sex guilt. We initially hypothesized that submissive sexual fantasy preference amongst women may be a reflection of women’s role in larger society (i.e., their lesser power as compared to men, or subscription to the heterosexual script); however, our findings paint a different picture; one in which women’s relationship with submissive sexual fantasy preference is much more complicated and nuanced, and less a direct representation of social roles and stereotypes. Though more research about correlates of fantasy preference is needed, our results provide support for current discourse on the positive value of sexual fantasies. In general, across our studies, greater interest in fantasies (overall, regardless of type) tend to be correlated primarily with variables that indicate greater levels of sexual functioning, including higher sexual assertiveness and lower conservative sexual attitudes (as measured by the Mosher Sex Guilt scale). Additionally, as a result of findings from Study 1, in Study 2 we focus on sex guilt and develop a novel measure that more accurately captures the multidimensionality of this construct with hopes of clarifying some of the inconsistencies in previous research that has potentially obscured the relationship between sexual guilt and other sexuality related variables. In the concluding chapter, we discuss the implications of the significant findings and use a feminist perspective to explore potential ways that culture-level factors and patriarchal society may affect sexuality and sexual preferences at the individual level.