ABDL: Comfort, Kink, or Coping?

The Adult Baby/Diaper Lover (ABDL) phenomenon represents a unique intersection of fetishistic behavior, identity expression, and psychological coping mechanisms. Often stigmatized or dismissed in mainstream discourse, ABDL is a largely misunderstood subculture composed of adults who engage in behaviors associated with infancy or toddlerhood, such as wearing diapers, using baby bottles, or adopting infantile speech and mannerisms. This presentation aims to offer a comprehensive, nonjudgmental exploration of ABDL interests, with an emphasis on understanding the psychological, cultural, and clinical dimensions relevant to professionals in mental health, education, and human sexuality fields.

The ABDL community encompasses a spectrum of motivations. For some, these behaviors are linked to sexual arousal (typically categorized as paraphilic infantilism or a diaper fetish); for others, the appeal is non-sexual and serves as a form of stress relief, emotional comfort, or identity fulfillment through age regression. This talk will examine the developmental and psychological theories proposed to explain ABDL interests, including potential links to early childhood experiences, attachment styles, trauma, and the role of fantasy in adult coping strategies.

Additionally, the presentation will address the role of online communities in shaping and supporting ABDL identities, and explore how internet spaces provide both social connection and validation for individuals often marginalized or misunderstood. Ethical considerations, particularly around consent, public behavior, and the strict demarcation between adult roleplay and any inappropriate involvement of minors, will be emphasized throughout.

Clinical implications will also be discussed, including how therapists and healthcare professionals can assess and support ABDL clients without pathologizing their interests. The distinction between atypical but benign sexual or identity expressions and clinically significant dysfunction will be clarified, drawing on DSM-5 and ICD-11 frameworks where applicable.
Attendees will leave with a nuanced understanding of ABDL behavior, practical tools for working with this population in clinical or educational settings, and strategies to foster empathy, reduce stigma, and uphold ethical standards.