Outcomes of sexually open marriages

Consensual Nonmonogamy: Psychological Well-Being and Relationship Quality Correlates

“…Generally, consensual nonmonogamists report high levels of relationship satisfaction and happiness, or levels that are at least on par with those reported by monogamists (Bergstrand & Williams, 2000;Blasband & Peplau, 1985;Buunk, 1980;Dixon, 1985;Gilmartin, 1974;Hosking, 2013;Murstein et al, 1985;Ramey, 1975;Rubin, 1982;Rubin & Adams, 1986). For example, in a study of male swingers, the majority of participants rated their marital happiness as high, giving it a 6 or 7 out of 7 (Dixon, 1985).…”

“…One approach that researchers can use to better understand (though not prove) causality is to conduct longitudinal studies. In two studies researchers have examined the stability of consensually nonmonogamous relationships a few years after first contact (Rubin & Adams, 1986;Watson, 1981). Unfortunately, these studies did not examine the association between consensual nonmonogamy at Time 1 and other indicators of relationship quality or psychological well-being at Time 2, nor did they examine changes in psychological well-being or relationship quality across time.…”

“…When compared to monogamists and general samples, six studies found that consensual nonmonogamists had equal levels of relationship satisfaction or happiness (u and U c s ¼ 0.07 to 0.14, ds ¼ 0.16 to 0.41; Blasband & Peplau, 1985;Gilmartin, 1974;Hosking, 2013;Murstein et al, 1985;Rubin, 1982;Rubin & Adams, 1986), one study found that consensual nonmonogamists had slightly (but significantly) higher relationship happiness (u ¼ 0.01;Bergstrand & Williams, 2000), and one study found that they had lower relationship satisfaction (Kurdek & Schmitt, 1986). Moreover, in two studies, the majority of consensually nonmonogamous participants reported that adopting a consensually nonmonogamous relationship style had improved their marital happiness or satisfaction (Bergstrand & Williams, 2000;Knapp, 1976).…”

“…Swinging refers to when a couple practices extradyadic sex with members of another couple, typically at the same time within a shared social setting (Denfeld, 1974;Gilmartin, 1974;Jenks, 1998;Varni, 1974). Open relationships are relationships in which partners explicitly agree that they can have extradyadic sex; studies on open relationships often focus on sexually open marriages among opposite-sex couples (e.g., Buunk, 1980;Knapp, 1976;Rubin & Adams, 1986;Rubin, 1982;Watson, 1981), or gay open relationships (e.g., Blasband & Peplau, 1985;Kurdek, 1988;Kurdek & Schmitt, 1986). 2 The definition of polyamory is more contentious (see Klesse, 2006); however, a broad, inclusive definition of polyamory is the practice of, belief in, or willingness to engage in multiple romantic and=or sexual relationships with the consent of everyone involved (Easton & Hardy, 2009;Taormino, 2008).…”

Monogamy and Nonmonogamy: Evolutionary Considerations and Treatment Challenges

“…73 Although these studies have significant limitations, research consistently suggests that consensually nonmonogamous men and women demonstrate similar rates of sexual and relationship satisfaction, 74 marital stability, 75 and emotional disorders as monogamous individuals. 44,76 These results have been replicated in both homosexual and heterosexual men.…”