A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Swansea University and the University of Texas at Austin has provided unprecedented insights into the complex and often misunderstood incel community. This extensive research, involving 561 participants across the UK and the US, is notable for its collaboration with the UK’s Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) and aims to dismantle stereotypes while broadening the scientific understanding of involuntary celibacy as a social phenomenon.
Incels, short for involuntary celibates, are primarily men who experience profound difficulties in forming sexual or romantic relationships and often develop a distinct identity centered around this perceived failure. Public discourse frequently associates this community with extremist ideologies and violent tendencies, especially given certain connected attacks in recent years. However, this study, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, presents a far more intricate and multifaceted portrait that emphasizes the community’s diversity and psychological complexities.
Contrary to prevailing media stereotypes depicting incels as predominantly young, white, right-wing men disconnected from employment or education, the empirical data tells a different story. The research shows that incels exhibit a wide range of demographic characteristics. This diversity traverses political affiliations, socioeconomic strata, and ethnic backgrounds, suggesting that the community cannot be generalized under simplistic or monolithic labels. Additionally, mental health emerged as the most consistent and disturbing commonality among participants.
The mental health challenges faced by incels are particularly alarming. An extraordinary 37% of respondents disclosed experiencing suicidal thoughts on a daily basis, a figure that far exceeds typical population baselines. This finding signals a dire need for targeted clinical attention and mental health support within this group, challenging the dominant narrative that focuses primarily on their potential threat to others rather than their own vulnerability.
Moreover, the study is the first to apply the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 (AQ-10) to this population, revealing that nearly one-third of participants hit the clinical threshold that warrants further assessment for autism spectrum conditions. This prevalence rate is exponentially higher than the approximately 1% found in the general populace, indicating that neurodiversity is a significant, previously underappreciated factor within the incel community.
Loneliness also emerges as a defining characteristic, with almost half of the study participants rating their feelings of social isolation at the highest possible level across multiple measures. This intense and pervasive loneliness likely compounds the psychological distress reported and potentially contributes to maladaptive belief systems and behaviors associated with this subculture.
Another crucial factor disclosed by the research pertains to experiences of bullying. An overwhelming 86% of incels reported encountering some form of bullying during their lives, compared to only 33% in the broader population. This history of victimization provides valuable context for understanding the development of the grievances and negative attitudes frequently expressed by incels and suggests potential intervention points.
Ethnically, the incel community surveyed was notably heterogeneous, comprising 58% white participants and 42% individuals identifying as people of color. This ethnic diversity contradicts the common assumption that incels are a racially homogenous group and highlights the intersectional dimensions of involuntary celibacy.
The political landscape within the incel community also defies widespread expectations. On average, respondents positioned themselves slightly left of center politically, challenging the common association between incels and far-right extremism. Nevertheless, the study uncovered that harmful ideologies within the group may arise from two distinct psychological and ideological pathways.
These dual pathways consist first of individuals characterized by high autistic traits, extensive histories of bullying, and chronically poor self-esteem, and second, those exhibiting anti-social personality traits such as psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, often paired with extreme right-wing views. This bifurcation underscores the heterogeneity of incels and implies that tailored approaches will be necessary for effective intervention and policy development.
Socioeconomic diversity was equally prominent. Approximately 41% of participants identified as middle class, while 27% classified themselves as lower-middle class, an observation that again counters the stereotype of incels as largely economically marginalized. Employment and educational engagement were relatively stable among the group, with 42.4% in full-time employment and 16.4% pursuing full-time education, indicating a level of social integration not commonly acknowledged.
Age distribution within the sample was broad, with the average participant being 26 years old, but notably, 18% were aged 30 or over, and some as old as 73. This age range suggests that the incel identity and associated struggles are not confined to youth but traverse a more extended period of the adult lifespan.
The implications of these findings are manifold. The recognition of distinct subgroups within the incel population—each with different etiological pathways to involuntary celibacy—offers critical insights for mental health professionals, social workers, and policymakers. Current strategies by institutions such as the NHS and counter-extremism programs may need refinement to address these diverse needs effectively and to mitigate the risks associated with harmful attitudes and behaviors.
Researchers emphasize the urgent need for enhanced mental health services that consider the unique neurodiverse and psychosocial profiles within this community. The elevated rates of suicidal ideation call for immediate clinical response, while the potential for ideologically-driven extremism linked to certain personality traits demands informed and nuanced preventative measures.
The research team has already begun disseminating these findings to governmental bodies, including providing oral evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee in the UK Parliament. The hope is that this empirically grounded understanding will inform not only public discourse and policy but also foster the development of compassionate, evidence-based interventions that respect the complexity of the incel experience.
In essence, this pioneering study challenges preconceived notions and media-driven caricatures by revealing a community marked by psychological distress, neurodiversity, and sociopolitical heterogeneity. Recognizing these complexities is a vital step toward more effective engagement, support, and ultimately, harm reduction within the involuntary celibate population.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: The Dual Pathways Hypothesis of Incel Harm: A Model of Harmful Attitudes and Beliefs Among Involuntary Celibates
News Publication Date: 21-May-2025
Web References:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-025-03161-y
References:
Thomas, A. G., Whittaker, J., & Costello, W. (2025). The Dual Pathways Hypothesis of Incel Harm: A Model of Harmful Attitudes and Beliefs Among Involuntary Celibates. Archives of Sexual Behavior. DOI: 10.1007/s10508-025-03161-y
Keywords: Social sciences, Behavioral psychology, Personality psychology, Social psychology, Gender studies, Psychological science
