Standardised Stigma Measure (SSM)
Global Research Survey on Naturism and Social Stigma
Measuring stigma. Building evidence. Advancing dignity.
The Standardised Stigma Measure (SSM) is a global research initiative developed by Naturism Resurgence (NRE) to better understand how stigma related to nudism and naturism is formed, perceived, experienced, and expressed.
This survey contributes to the world’s first comprehensive stigma measurement framework dedicated to naturism. Its purpose is serious and evidence-based: to replace assumptions with data and support informed discussion, education, research, and policy dialogue.
Who This Survey Is For
You are invited to participate if any of the following apply:
- You are a naturist or nudist, whether openly or privately.
- You are not a naturist, but have opinions or perceptions about nudism or naturism.
- You are neutral, curious, supportive, critical, or undecided.
- You are a researcher, educator, professional, policymaker, or stakeholder interested in stigma, social attitudes, or body-related rights.
There are no right answers. All perspectives are valuable.
What the Survey Covers
The SSM explores stigma across four key areas:
- Public attitudes toward naturists.
- Perceived judgement and social reactions.
- Internalised effects, such as fear, concealment, or self-censorship.
- Real-world experiences of exclusion or discrimination.
Together, these dimensions allow stigma to be examined as a lived social phenomenon rather than reduced to stereotype or assumption.
Relationship to Previous Research
The Standardised Stigma Measure (SSM) does not exist in isolation. It forms part of a developing body of research examining naturism, non-sexual nudity, social attitudes, body image, wellbeing, stigma, concealment, and social acceptance.
Earlier research approached these questions from different directions. Historical and sociocultural studies documented recurring associations between public nudity, morality, sexuality, social acceptability, and exclusion. Later qualitative research examined how naturists experience social judgement, concealment, outsider assumptions, and perceived stigma.
Naturism, body image and wellbeing
West (2018) investigated naturist participation across three studies. A large cross-sectional study (n=849) found an association between greater naturist participation and greater life satisfaction, with positive body image and self-esteem forming part of the statistical pathway. Two prospective studies conducted at real naturist events (n=24 and n=100) also reported improvements in body image and life satisfaction following participation.
Importantly, this research investigated psychological wellbeing rather than stigma itself. West also identified limitations including self-selection, non-representative samples and the absence of randomised control groups, describing the findings as the beginning of further research rather than a definitive conclusion.
From social attitudes to perceived stigma
Other research has examined the social environment surrounding naturism. Studies have explored sexualised stereotypes, public and host-community attitudes, spatial acceptance of nudity, concealment, social judgement, and the distinction between naturists' own understanding of their practices and assumptions made by others.
Soylemez, Lusher and Rachitskiy (2023) brought perceived stigma directly into focus through qualitative interviews with naturists. Their findings identified themes involving naturist identity, community, social acceptance and outsider perceptions, including concerns about disclosure and social judgement.
Where the SSM fits
The SSM builds upon this wider research landscape while addressing a different question: how can naturism-related stigma be examined systematically across several connected dimensions and across a much broader participant population?
Rather than treating stigma as a single opinion, the SSM examines a multidomain pathway that includes:
- Public attitudes and beliefs about naturism and naturists.
- Perceived social judgement and anticipated reactions from others.
- Internalised consequences, including fear, concealment and self-censorship.
- Experienced consequences, including exclusion or discrimination.
These constructs are related, but they are not identical. The SSM therefore does not treat previous wellbeing, qualitative stigma, attitude, or psychometric studies as interchangeable with its own findings.
Its purpose is to contribute an additional large-scale, structured and international evidence source to an emerging field of research.
Selected research:
West, K. (2018). Naked and Unashamed: Investigations and Applications
of the Effects of Naturist Activities on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Life
Satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 677–697.
DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9846-1.
Smith, G. & King, M. (2009). Naturism and sexuality:
broadening our approach to sexual wellbeing. Health & Place,
15(2), 439–446.
Monterrubio, C. (2019). Hosts and guests' social representations
of nudism: A mutual gaze approach. Annals of Tourism Research,
75, 18–28.
Soylemez, K.K., Lusher, J. & Rachitskiy, M. (2023).
A qualitative insight into the experiences of naturists perceived
stigma of naturism. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews,
16(3), 148–161.
Anonymity and Privacy
Your privacy is essential.
- The survey is anonymous.
- No names, emails, or identifying information are required.
- Responses are analysed in aggregate only.
- No individual answers are published or shared.
In practice, your response becomes one data point among many. Analysis focuses on patterns, trends, and totals, not on any single person.
To protect research integrity, basic non-identifying safeguards may be used to reduce duplicate or automated submissions. These safeguards do not compromise anonymity.
By design, your responses cannot be linked back to you by NRE.
You may also view sample screenshots of the survey before answering: View question samples here
Why Your Participation Matters
Stigma is often discussed but rarely measured. Without data, discrimination remains invisible and easily dismissed.
Your participation helps to:
- Create credible evidence for public education and advocacy.
- Inform research, policy dialogue, and institutional decision-making.
- Improve understanding of how stigma affects confidence, safety, and social participation.
- Support a more respectful and informed public conversation about naturism.
Each completed survey strengthens the evidence base.
Time Commitment
- Estimated completion time: 10 to 15 minutes.
- You may stop at any time.
- You may skip questions you are not comfortable answering.
How the Data Will Be Used
Survey results may be used to:
- Produce aggregated reports and educational material.
- Support advocacy and awareness initiatives.
- Enable comparative analysis across regions and demographics.
- Contribute to academic and policy-facing discussions.
Results may be shared publicly only in anonymised, statistical form.
Ready to Participate?
When you are ready, click below to access the survey.
Support Independent Research and Public Education
The SSM project is developed independently by NaturismRE as part of a broader effort to create structured, evidence-based public education and institutional resources related to naturism and social stigma.
If you believe this work has value, you can help support the continued development of NRE initiatives here:
About Naturism Resurgence (NRE)
Naturism Resurgence is an international advocacy initiative focused on advancing dignity, health, and evidence-based understanding of nudism and naturism. NRE develops structured frameworks, research tools, and policy-ready resources to support respectful social inclusion.
Authorised by Vincent Marty
Founder, Naturism Resurgence
Sydney, Australia
NaturismRE: global educational, public-health-oriented, and institutional naturism ecosystem.
Related NRE Health Institute Research
The Standardised Stigma Measure (SSM) is one of several ongoing international research initiatives conducted by the NRE Health Institute.
While the SSM focuses primarily on public attitudes, stigma, acceptance, and social perception, the NRE Health Institute also conducts research examining motivations, participation, wellbeing, and behavioural factors associated with non-sexual nudity.
Non-Sexual Nudity Motivations Study (NSNMS)
The Non-Sexual Nudity Motivations Study (NSNMS) examines why people support, oppose, follow, consume, discuss, share, or participate in non-sexual nudity.
Unlike the SSM, which measures public attitudes and stigma, the NSNMS explores motivations, participation, barriers, experiences, perceptions, body image, media influence, wellbeing, and behavioural factors.
Together, the SSM and NSNMS provide a broader understanding of how non-sexual nudity is viewed, experienced, and understood within modern society.
The NSNMS is an ongoing international research initiative and continues to collect responses from around the world.
Both the Standardised Stigma Measure (SSM) and the Non-Sexual Nudity Motivations Study (NSNMS) are ongoing international research initiatives conducted by the NRE Health Institute.