The Vices and Virtues of Consensual Non-Monogamy:A Relational Dimension Investigation

Brooks, Thomas R.; Shaw, J. E.; Reysen, Stephen; Henley, Tracy B.

doi:10.1080/19419899.2021.1897034

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…This was not particularly surprising when considering that nonmonogamous individuals report that their relationship configuration prioritizes freedom, and open communication, and allows them to meet their needs (Cohen, 2016;Mogilski et al, 2021;Moors et al, 2017;Muise et al, 2019). These individuals also tend to report high levels of relationship functioning, sexual satisfaction, and constructive conflict resolution styles (Brooks et al, 2021;Conley & Piemonte, 2021;Rodrigues et al, 2017Rodrigues et al, , 2019Wood et al, 2018). This is aligned with research showing that individuals who are in sexual minority relationships can combat or deter the negative effects of stigma and lead positive and healthy lives in many ways.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the role of Mononormative Beliefs, Stigma, and Internalized Consensual Non-Monogamy Negativity for Dehumanization

Rodrigues¹,

Brooks²,

Balzarini³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Interest in consensually non-monogamous relationships (CNM) has been increasing in the general population in recent years. However, given the cultural dominance of monogamy and the normative expectations often imposed through socialization (i.e., mononormativity), people in CNM relationships may experience negativity, which can become internalized and harm their individual and relationship health. The present study investigates if internalized mononormativity is associated with more self- and partner-directed stigma and if internalized CNM negativity is an underlying mechanism for these associations. Results showed that participants who endorsed more mononormativity beliefs also reported more internalized CNM negativity. In turn, participants who experienced more internalized negativity also reported more self-directed CNM stigma, attributed more negative (vs. positive) emotions to themselves, and treated their partners as more immature, unrefined, exploitable, and emotionless. These results show that mononormativity and internalized negativity are significant contributors to individual and relational functioning.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the role of Mononormative Beliefs, Stigma, and Internalized Consensual Non-Monogamy Negativity for Dehumanization

Rodrigues¹,

Brooks²,

Balzarini³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…For example, engaging in consensual extradyadic sexual behavior is a form of consensual non-monogamy (i.e., a type of relationship between at least three people who are non-sexually/emotionally exclusive; Balzarini & Muise, 2020), and can be a satisfying and beneficial behavior one or both romantic partners engage in for any number of reasons (e.g., Rubel & Bogaert, 2015). Couples who engage in consensual non-monogamy also often report feeling more committed to their romantic partner compared to people in monogamous relationships (Brooks et al, 2022). Indeed, for allosexual adults in consensually non-monogamous relationships or in romantic relationships where both primary partners have negotiated and agreed upon boundaries related to extradyadic sexual behavior and extradyadic partners, engagement in extradyadic sexual behavior is often not detrimental to the primary relationship and promotes relationship commitment (Negash et al, 2014).…”

Section: Variations Based On Consensual Non-monogamymentioning

confidence: 99%

Using social exchange theory to examine relationship processes in asexual‐allosexual couples

Clark

2023

J of Family Theo & Revie

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I use social exchange theory to contextualize relationship processes associated with relationship stability in asexualallosexual couples and to propose directions for future research. Social exchange theory suggests that asexualallosexual couples might experience varied relationship exchanges compared to other relationship types based on costs/benefits, equity, and available alternatives. These exchanges may also be influenced by differences in relationship commitment and power. I review literature on sexual desire, sexual frequency, willingness to engage in sexual behavior, asexual identity acceptance, and extradyadic behavior to examine how these relationship processes are associated with relationship maintenance for asexual-allosexual couples. Such relationship processes are not necessarily unique to asexual-allosexual couples, but partner expectations may be particularly different in asexual-allosexual couples, thus altering their relationship exchanges. Further research may provide a nuanced understanding of asexual-allosexual relationship maintenance, and recommendations for how to promote healthy interactions and relationship satisfaction in asexualallosexual couples.

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“…A systematic review of research comparing CNM relationships with monogamous relationships concluded that there were no differences in individual well-being or relationship satisfaction (Rubel & Bogaert, 2015). Further studies have shown similar results, with no difference between monogamy and CNM, and positive results for relationship satisfaction and well-being in CNM relationships (Brooks et al, 2021;Conley et al, 2017;Cox et al, 2021;Fairbrother et al, 2019;Murphy et al, 2021). One study with a combined sample found that CNM individuals were satisfied with their relationship, with no differences across types of CNM (Garner et al, 2019).…”

Section: Well-being and Relationship Satisfaction In Cnm Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consensual non‐monogamy (CNM) consists of relationships between multiple people, sexually and/or romantically, with the consent of everyone involved (Brooks et al., 2021). It is usually an umbrella term for consensual practices such as open relationships, polyamory, swinging, and any relationship and/or sexual engagement outside the strict definition of monogamy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘It's a magnifying glass for your relationship’: a thematic analysis of motivations, benefits, and challenges in consensually non‐monogamous relationships

Codrington,

du Plooy

2023

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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The last decade has seen an increase in public and academic interest in consensual non‐monogamy (CNM). CNM involves sexual and/or romantic relationships between multiple partners, with the consent of all individuals involved. Engagement in CNM is estimated at 5% of the general population, although due to stigma with the strong idealisation of monogamy in many cultures, it is a hidden population. This qualitative study explores the motivations, benefits, and challenges experienced in CNM relationships, an area that has been understudied despite the resurgence of interest in it. While previous research has mainly focused on comparisons between CNM and monogamy or individual types of CNM such as polyamory, this study seeks to provide a broader understanding of CNM relationships. We employ a critical realist framework and thematically analyse semi‐structured interviews with eight participants. The results identify three overarching themes: mononormativity and cultural norms; growth and responsibility; and diversity and complexity; each has several subthemes. These findings suggest that CNM provides opportunities for greater diversification of needs and increased community and individual growth. The study also highlights the challenges experienced in CNM relationships and the strategies used to manage them, such as personal responsibility for managing difficult emotions and temporarily closing a relationship at times for relationship security. A novel finding in this study is that some individuals involved in CNM have internalised cultural norms and the idealisation of monogamy and need to unlearn these norms. This study adds to the existing knowledge on CNM and is expected to be of interest to clinicians and researchers seeking to understand its motivations, benefits, and challenges. Relationship therapists will benefit from increased knowledge of how to work with clients interested or engaged in CNM relationships. Overall, this study supports previous findings that CNM is a viable, enjoyable, yet sometimes challenging type of relationship.

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The Vices and Virtues of Consensual Non-Monogamy:A Relational Dimension Investigation

Cited by 8 publications

References 61 publications

Examining the role of Mononormative Beliefs, Stigma, and Internalized Consensual Non-Monogamy Negativity for Dehumanization

Examining the role of Mononormative Beliefs, Stigma, and Internalized Consensual Non-Monogamy Negativity for Dehumanization

Using social exchange theory to examine relationship processes in asexual‐allosexual couples

‘It's a magnifying glass for your relationship’: a thematic analysis of motivations, benefits, and challenges in consensually non‐monogamous relationships

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