Consensual Non-Monogamy Among Kink-Identified Adults: Characteristics, Relationship Experiences, and Unique Motivations for Polyamory and Open Relationships

Vilkin, Ellora; Sprott, Richard A.

doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02004-w

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Moreover, being kinky is a transgression of norms per se, which also facilities the transgression of the norms of monogamy (Carlström and Andersson, 2019). The study by Vilkin and Sprott (2021) supports this idea, stating that kink interests are an important motivator to engage in consensual non-monogamy. Based on these findings and having in mind people who have specific sexual interests, the following question was included in the survey questionnaire of this study: Specific sex: "I wanted to have sex which I cannot have with my other partner (such as kink, fetish, anal, etc.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Differences in Motivation to Engage in Sexual Activity Between People in Monogamous and Non-monogamous Committed Relationships

(Kelberg)

Martinsone

2021

Front. Psychol.

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This study compared motivations to engage in sex between monogamous and non-monogamous respondents (n = 1,238, out of which 641 monogamous and 596 non-monogamous respondents; women—47.4%, men—50.9%, other gender—1.7%; age: M = 27.78 years, SD = 7.53, range = 18–62). The research aim was to identify whether there are differences in self-reported reasons to engage in sexual activity between these two groups. Presented with 17 reasons to engage in sexual activity, the respondents rated the frequency with which they engage in sex for each reason. While both monogamous and non-monogamous respondents reported to engage in sex with the same frequency for the reasons of sexual release and physical desirability of a partner, the research uncovered that non-monogamous respondents engage in sex significantly more often to seek new experiences, to boost self-esteem, to guard their mate, to have a specific kind of sex (such as anal, kink, or fetish) or to experience the thrill of the forbidden. Non-monogamous respondents reported higher frequency to engage in sex for most reasons overall. The study also revealed that there are differences in reasons to engage in sex among men and women, some of the differences are related to the relationship status (monogamous or non-monogamous), while others are universal for men or women irrespective of their monogamy status.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Differences in Motivation to Engage in Sexual Activity Between People in Monogamous and Non-monogamous Committed Relationships

(Kelberg)

Martinsone

2021

Front. Psychol.

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“…These studies primarily examined CNM identity development, including (a) the journey of “coming into” polyamory/CNM (e.g., motivations for engaging in CNM, claiming the identity polyamorous ), (b) the emotional work of being polyamorous in a mononormative society, and (c) the ways in which this identity intersects with other social identities (e.g., being queer, kinky, disabled). With respect to motivations to engage in CNM, reported motivations included the desire to build community with people who share their ethical beliefs and values, the desire to explore sexuality and sexual desires, the desire for personal growth, the incompatibility of partners' desires and ways of relating with monogamy, and pragmatism (Arter & Bunge, 2023; Rossman et al, 2019; Vilkin & Sprott, 2021; Wood et al, 2021).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, researchers studied how being polyamorous intersects with other identities, such as being bisexual, kinky, or being a Christian (Gusmano, 2018; Ling et al, 2022; Reese, 2023; Robinson, 2013; Vilkin & Sprott, 2021; Weitzman, 2006). For instance, Barsigian et al (2020) interviewed three cohorts of genderqueer folx and reported that many found connection and acceptance in polyamorous communities that they sometimes did not find in broader LGBTQ spaces.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A scoping review of research on polyamory and consensual non‐monogamy: Implications for a more inclusive family science

Gupta,

Tarantino,

Sanner

2023

J of Family Theo & Revie

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Polyamory and consensual non‐monogamy (CNM) refer to partnerships in which individuals have romantic, emotional, and/or sexual relationships with multiple people, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Recent decades have seen a surge in research interest in polyamory and CNM, warranting efforts to pause and take stock of empirical findings. In this scoping review, we evaluate and synthesize 209 research studies about polyamory and CNM, paying particular attention to trends in research design, theoretical application, and substantive findings. Researchers have focused broadly on (a) outcomes of CNM relationships, (b) attitudes and perceptions of CNM, (c) antecedents of CNM, (d) CNM relational processes, (e) CNM identity development, (f) polyamorous family and parenting, and (g) CNM politics and discourse. We synthesize research findings within each domain, identify gaps in the literature, and discuss the challenges and opportunities we see in advancing research on polyamory and CNM.

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“…Consequently, another three reasons to engage in sex were added to the final questionnaire. Since some authors (Carlström and Andersson, 2019;Vilkin and Sprott, 2021) suggest that non-conventional sexual practices like BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism) or kink might be a significant factor to engage in a consensually non-monogamous relationship, the following questionnaire item was developed: 15. Specific sex: "I wanted to have sex which I cannot have with my other partner (such as kink, fetish, anal, etc.)"…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, it was expected that individuals would seek sex with their primary partners more often to procreate, for utilitarian reasons, to express love and commitment, or other feelings like anger or feeling sorry. However, individuals would more often engage in sex with their secondary partners seeking new experiences, a different type of sex ( Carlström and Andersson, 2019 ; Vilkin and Sprott, 2021 ), or another gender ( Jordal, 2011 ; Compton and Bowman, 2017 ; Shao et al, 2021 ), and to experience the thrill of the forbidden ( Morin, 1996 ; Fishbach, 2009 ; Ruedy et al, 2013 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivation of non-monogamous adults to engage in sex with their different partners

(Kelberg)

Martinsone

2022

Front. Psychol.

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This study compared motivations of individuals in non-monogamous relationships to engage in sex with their different partners (n = 596, out of which 103 non-consensual non-monogamous, 135 polyamorous, 204 swinging, 154 in open relationships; women—38.8%, men—59.7%, other gender—1.5%; age range: from 18 to 65+ years; 86% of respondents between 25 and 54 years old; majority of the respondents are in a long-term relationship). The research aim was to identify whether there are differences in reasons to engage in sex with respondents’ primary versus secondary partners. Presented with 17 reasons to engage in sexual activity, the respondents rated the frequency with which they engage in sex for each reason with their different partners. Questions for 14 reasons to engage in sex were created based on the YSEX? questionnaire and three questions were created specifically for non-monogamous population. The three new questions addressed the desire for a specific type of sex (such as kink, fetish, etc.), desire to have sex with a partner of another gender than one’s primary partner, and desire to experience the thrill of the forbidden. The results indicated that there are significant differences in motivation to engage in sex with one’s primary versus secondary partner for most of the reasons. Additionally, this study investigated whether there are differences in motivation to engage in sex with different partners depending on the relationship arrangement. The data analysis shows that there are differences in reasons to engage in sex with one’s different partners between non-consensually and consensually non-monogamous groups. This research compliments existing body of research with new reasons to engage in sex, it demonstrates that non-monogamous people engage in sex with their different partners for different reasons and reveals that these may vary depending on the type of the relationship arrangement.

show abstract

Consensual Non-Monogamy Among Kink-Identified Adults: Characteristics, Relationship Experiences, and Unique Motivations for Polyamory and Open Relationships

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

Differences in Motivation to Engage in Sexual Activity Between People in Monogamous and Non-monogamous Committed Relationships

Differences in Motivation to Engage in Sexual Activity Between People in Monogamous and Non-monogamous Committed Relationships

A scoping review of research on polyamory and consensual non‐monogamy: Implications for a more inclusive family science

Motivation of non-monogamous adults to engage in sex with their different partners

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