Year: 1982 Source: Deviant Behavior, v.4, no.1, (1982), p.19-39 SIEC No: 19841478

This article discusses the occurrence of sexual asphyxia, voluntary strangulation for sexual pleasure. The article includes a description of the act & characteristics of people that engage in it (asserting that most are middle to upper class young males). Research indicates that a majority of the people that engage in this behavior have serious depression & a history of suicide attempts. The author argues that death that occurs in cases of sexual asphyxia is accidental rather than suicidal in nature. (13 refs) (SC)