Transvestic fetishism in the general population: prevalence and correlates

J Sex Marital Ther. 2005 Mar-Apr;31(2):87-95. doi: 10.1080/00926230590477934.

Abstract

We used a random sample of 2,450 18-60 year-olds in the general population of Sweden to study the prevalence as well as the social, sexual, and health correlates of transvestic fetishism (sexual arousal from cross-dressing). Almost three percent (2.8%) of men and 0.4% of women reported at least one episode of transvestic fetishism. Separation from parents, same-sex sexual experiences, being easily sexually aroused, pornography use, and higher masturbation frequency were significantly associated with transvestic fetishism. A positive attitude to this sexual practice and paraphilia indicators--sexual arousal from using pain, exposing genitals to a stranger, and spying on others having sex--were particularly strong correlates to the dependent variable.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fetishism, Psychiatric / epidemiology*
  • Fetishism, Psychiatric / psychology
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Public Opinion*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Transvestism / epidemiology*
  • Transvestism / psychology