Psychosocial Characteristics of Involuntary Celibates (Incels): A Review of Empirical Research and Assessment of the Potential Implications of Research on Adult Virginity and Late Sexual Onset

Abstract

Incels are defined as involuntary celibates who are part of an online community characterized by an anti-women ideology. We review research on the psychosocial characteristics of people identifying as Incels and compare their characteristics with general research on adult virginity and late sexual onset. Studies were identified through database search (Scopus, PubMed, PsycInfo and Google Scholar). Findings from 59 empirical studies were included. Incels are demographically, ethnically, and religiously diverse. Analyses of Incel forum discussions and survey responses report on psychological issues relating to negative body image, shyness, anxiety, social skill deficits, autism, bullying, sexual and romantic inexperience, loneliness, depression, and suicide. Research on adult virginity and late sexual onset report similar psychosocial characteristics and indicate feelings of being sexually "off time" relative to peers, but without a high prevalence of anti-women ideology. Future studies should focus on identifying why some sexually inexperienced adults participate in anti-women forums and identify as Incels, and if their mental health and psychosocial issues appeared before or after self-identifying as an Incel.

Beyond violent extremism: A 3N perspective of inceldom.

“…Furthermore, the incel community is characterized by a tendency toward “shit-posting,” or responding to surveys in ways they find humorous; for instance, by listing their ages as zero or 69 (Daly & Nichols, 2023; Hoffman et al, 2020). Thus, although obvious “shit-posters” were excluded from the analyses and the responses, particularly those regarding self-harm and suicidal ideation, as well as adherence to the black pill and admiration of people like ER, are consistent with findings on incel communities that use other methodologies (e.g., qualitative and textual analysis; Glace et al, 2021; Maxwell et al, 2020; Stijelja & Mishara, 2023), it is still possible that participants were not entirely truthful in their responses. Questions also did not directly address the three specific narratives explored presently.…”

“…Additionally, inceldom does appear to be a primarily Western phenomenon, with a key aspect of their ideology referring specifically to the perceived negative effects that gender equality in Western society has had on women’s dating preferences (Ging, 2019). Thus, the present sample is likely reflective of the ethnic and national diversity of the larger incel community (Jaki et al, 2019; Stijelja & Mishara, 2023), but it would nevertheless be useful for future research to focus on the experiences and perspectives of non-White and non-Western incels.…”

Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology

“…In addition, 47.8% reported the presence of suicidal ideations. An online survey carried out by an Incels.co moderator, in turn, reported an even higher number of suicidal thoughts: 67.5% of the participants considered suicide a serious option if they could not find any improvement in their life situation ( Stijelja and Mishara, 2023 ). In the survey, 59% of participants reported depression, 74% stress and anxiety, and 25% autism.…”

“…Incels themselves emphasize that they do not form a uniform movement but differ in their problems, attitudes, political views, and life situations. According to studies and online surveys, however, they do have certain features in common: in a survey carried out in October 2019, 100% self-identify as male, and 95% believe in “the black pill” ( Stijelja and Mishara, 2023 , 722–723). “The black pill” refers to an outlook or “philosophy” according to which men who have certain disadvantages in the dating culture cannot do anything to improve their attractiveness, for example by changing their behavior or physical appearance.…”

“…It seems, however, that some autistic people may be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the incel forums. Therefore, it has been suggested that it would be highly relevant to know whether the forums “have contributed to creating or exacerbating underlying vulnerabilities through frequent discussions of suicide and hopelessness” ( Stijelja and Mishara, 2023 , 728). Thus far, it has been more common to use statistical methods to investigate incels, either through the lens of mental health or sociopolitical radicalization.…”