Prevalence of Experiences With Consensual Nonmonogamous Relationships: Findings From Two National Samples of Single Americans

Haupert, Mladen; Gesselman, Amanda N.; Moors, Amy C.; Fisher, Helen; Garcia, Justin R.

doi:10.1080/0092623x.2016.1178675

Cited by 192 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…For comparison, the Williams Institute estimates that approximately 3.5% of U.S. adults identify as LGB and 0.3% identify as transgender (Gates, 2011). Utilizing two US Census-based quota samples to explore the prevalence of CNM experiences, Haupert, Gesselman, Moors, Fisher, and Garcia (2016) found that more than 20% of single adults in the U.S. reported prior experiences with CNM relationships. Using a probability sample of U.S. adults, Herbenick et al (2017) found that 1.6% of those in relationships described their partnerships as “open”.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open Relationships, Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy, and Monogamy Among U.S. Adults: Findings from the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior

et al. 2018

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People in open and other consensually nonmonogamous partnerships have been historically underserved by researchers and providers. Many studies group such partnerships together with nonconsensual nonmonogamy (NCNM) under the banner of “concurrent sexual partnerships.” Discrimination from service providers poses a substantial barrier to care. Responding to such concerns, this investigation explored sociodemographic correlates with open relationships and associations between relationship structure and sexual risk, HIV/STI testing, and relationship satisfaction in a nationally representative probability sample. Data were drawn from the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (n = 2270). We used multinomial logistic regression to identify correlates with relationship structure, and linear and logistic regression to investigate associations between relationship structure and testing, condom use, and relationship satisfaction. Eighty-nine percent of participants reported monogamy, 4% reported open relationships, and 8% reported NCNM. Males, gay/lesbian individuals, bisexual individuals, and those who identified as “Other, Non-Hispanic” were more likely to report open relationships. Bisexual individuals and Black, Non-Hispanic participants were more likely to report NCNM; older participants were less likely to do so. Participants in open relationships reported more frequent condom use for anal intercourse and lower relationship satisfaction than monogamous participants. NCNM participants reported more HIV testing and lower satisfaction. Identities, experiences, and behaviors within open and other consensually nonmonogamous populations should be regarded as unique and diverse, rather than conflated with those common to other relationship structures. There is a need for greater awareness of diverse relationship structures among researchers and providers, and incorporation of related content into educational programming.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open Relationships, Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy, and Monogamy Among U.S. Adults: Findings from the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior

et al. 2018

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“…Recent studies estimate that the prevalence of Americans who practice CNM at any given time is roughly 5% (Rubel & Burleigh, 2016;Rubin et al, in press), and an estimated 20% have engaged in CNM at some point in their lives (Haupert et al, 2016). Research has also found that individuals who practice CNM are stigmatized and greatly misunderstood (Burris, 2014;Conley et al, 2012;Conley et al, 2013;Hutzler, Giuliano, Herselman, & Johnson, 2015;Grunt-Mejer & Campbell, 2016), facing discrimination in situations such as in the workplace, in custody cases, in housing, and from laws that prescribe monogamy (Emens, 2004;Fleckenstein, Bergstrand, & Cox, 2012;Lesher, 2013;Nearing, 2000).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Wanting ‘the whole loaf’: zero-sum thinking about love is associated with prejudice against consensual non-monogamists

Burleigh

Rubel

Meegan

2016

Psychology & Sexuality

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Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is a relationship in which individuals agree that romantic or sexual relationships with others is permissible or desirable (e.g., polyamory or open relationships). Although anti-CNM prejudice is prevalent, it is not well understood. We propose that one of the bases of anti-CNM prejudice is zero-sum thinking about love-the perception that one person's love gained is another's love lost. We outline our theory and then present three studies that test our predictions. In these studies, participants read a vignette that depicted characters who were in a CNM or monogamous relationship, and then judged aspects of the characters and their relationship. In Study 1, participants who read the CNM vignette judged the protagonist's love for their initial romantic partner before and after they became involved with a second partner. Zero-sum thinking was operationally defined as the within-subject change in love ratings. In Studies 2 and 3, participants rated their agreement with items from a new preliminary measure of zero-sum romantic beliefs. We measured CNM devaluation by asking for ratings of the relationships and of individuals in the relationships. Supporting our predictions, in all three studies we found that zero-sum thinking about love was associated with increased CNM devaluation. We end by briefly discussing the implications of our findings.

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“…Variations in responses were also found with the question on gender differences (i.e., who searches for and makes the decisions on swinging partners). This discrepancy has been found with other studies dedicated to understanding those in the CNM lifestyle with some finding men to be more dominant in the decision‐making process and others finding the opposite (Haupert et al, ; Klesse, ; Serina, Hall, Ciambrone and Phua, ). Overall, gender differences need to be investigated further with this specific community to see if consistency can be found.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

A measurement to assess transition, maintenance and satisfaction in the swinging lifestyle

Kimberly¹

2018

Journal of Family Therapy

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Researchers studying consensual non‐monogamous relationships have traditionally used theoretical lenses that were based on heteronormative, monogamous couples’ experiences. An exception to these theoretical models was a grounded theory formed by Kimberly and Hans (2017) that explored how swinging relationships were initiated and maintained. This study further tests this theory by having 273 self‐identified swingers complete a quantitative, online measurement based on the model’s concepts and themes. Results further supported that theoretical model with two notable exceptions: participants disagreed with having high self‐esteem prior to entering the swinging lifestyle and that men (rather than women) screened potential partners. Nevertheless, therapists can use the measurement as a tool to guide dialogue with couples that are interested in or are currently participating in a non‐monogamous relationship.

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Prevalence of Experiences With Consensual Nonmonogamous Relationships: Findings From Two National Samples of Single Americans

Cited by 192 publications

References 33 publications

Open Relationships, Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy, and Monogamy Among U.S. Adults: Findings from the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior

Open Relationships, Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy, and Monogamy Among U.S. Adults: Findings from the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior

Wanting ‘the whole loaf’: zero-sum thinking about love is associated with prejudice against consensual non-monogamists

A measurement to assess transition, maintenance and satisfaction in the swinging lifestyle

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