Involuntary Celibacy (Incel) Identity: A Thematic Analysis of an Online Community’s Beliefs and Emotional Experiences

Marco De Vettor, Gabriele Lo Buglio, Alice Barsanti, Giacomo Ciocca, Alessandro Gennaro, Renan Goksal, Vittorio Lingiardi, Guido Giovanardi () and Tommaso Boldrini ()
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Marco De Vettor: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
Gabriele Lo Buglio: Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Alice Barsanti: Department of Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38122 Rovereto, Italy
Giacomo Ciocca: Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Alessandro Gennaro: Department of Psychology and Health Science, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Napoli, Italy
Renan Goksal: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
Vittorio Lingiardi: Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Guido Giovanardi: Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Tommaso Boldrini: Department of Psychology and Health Science, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Napoli, Italy

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: The term incel is a neologism combining “involuntary” and “celibate”, describing men who experience involuntary absence from sexual and romantic relationships. Incels frequently espouse conspiratorial and misogynistic ideologies, often engaging in verbal aggression. The present study aimed at qualitatively exploring the emotional experiences and beliefs articulated within an online incel community, contributing to the formation of its collective identity. A thread (453 comments) sampled from an Italian “incel” forum was analyzed by two independent raters, using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) “non-persons (i.e., women) are not like us” revealed perceived gender inequality and misogynistic beliefs, (b) “without experiences in adolescence you are ruined” reflected the belief that early romantic and sexual experiences are crucial for later relationship satisfaction, (c) “I have no life” captured expressions of profound distress and life dissatisfaction, and (d) “only ours is true suffering” highlighted a sense of unique victimhood. Incel group identity was shaped by gender role stress, primarily stemming from the perceived failure to meet socially constructed expectations of hegemonic masculinity. Suffering emerged as the dominant emotional experience, seemingly exacerbated by feelings of hopelessness regarding romantic and sexual prospects. The perceived subordinate status of men and male suffering were exploited to rationalize and perpetuate misogyny. The observed incels’ openness in discussing experiences of suffering and trauma may present an opportunity for the development of preventive interventions aimed at increasing help-seeking behavior in this population.

Keywords: incel; involuntary celibacy; masculinity; misogyny; thematic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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