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Campbell C, Scoats R, Wignall L. "Oh! How Modern! And... Are You Ok with That?": Consensually Non-Monogamous People's Experiences When Accessing Sexual Health Care. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:1377-1388. [PMID: 37641450 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2246464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The current research explored consensually non-monogamous peoples' experiences accessing sexual healthcare. Using a mixed method approach, a sample of 67 consensually non-monogamous individuals (48% Polyamorous; 42% Relationship Anarchy/Solo polyamory; 6% Swingers; 4% Uncategorized) reported having significantly lower rates of trust in healthcare professionals compared to standardized scores. Sixty-three percent of participants reported disclosing their relationship status to a clinician when accessing sexual health services, whereas 37% sometimes or never disclosed. Qualitative responses identified that some participants reported a willingness to be open about their relationships, but many chose to "pass" as monogamous to both simplify and streamline their interactions as well as to avoid potential stigma. Participants reported a wide range of experiences with clinicians from those who were accepting and professional, to some who displayed prejudice and withheld treatment. This research outlines some of the experiences and challenges presented to consensual non-monogamists when accessing sexual healthcare as well as providing suggestions for clinicians to help remove some of the barriers to appropriate patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Campbell
- Department of Psychology and Pedagogical Science, St Mary's University
| | - R Scoats
- School of Humanities, Coventry University
| | - L Wignall
- Department of Psychology, University of Brighton
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Cannas Aghedu F, Blais M, Séguin LJ, Côté I. Romantic relationship configurations and their correlates among LGBTQ+ persons: A latent class analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309954. [PMID: 39269934 PMCID: PMC11398688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Research comparing monogamous and non-monogamous relationships on well-being indicators across diverse populations have yielded inconsistent findings. The present study investigates sociodemographic characteristics, as well as personal and relational outcomes, across different relationship configurations. Data were drawn from an online community-based sample of 1,528 LGBTQ+ persons aged 18 years and older in Quebec, Canada. A latent class analysis was performed based on legal relationship status, relationship agreement, cohabitation status, and the seeking of extradyadic sexual and romantic partners on the internet. Class differences on sociodemographic characteristics and well-being and relationship quality indicators were examined. A five-class solution best fit the data, highlighting five distinct relationship configurations: Formalized monogamy (59%), Free monogamy (20%), Formalized open relationship (11%), Monogamous considering alternatives (7%) and Free consensual non-monogamies (3%). Cisgender women were more likely to engage in monogamous relationships than cisgender men, who were overrepresented in open relationships. Lower levels of perceived partner support were observed in both free monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships, the latter of which also showed lower levels of well-being. Consensual non-monogamy researchers exploring relationship outcomes should examine relationship facets that go beyond relationship structure or agreement. Variations in monogamies and non-monogamies, both consensual and non-consensual, may be present within each broad relationship configuration, as reflected in different personal and relational needs, which can then translate to better or poorer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Blais
- Research Chair in Sexual Diversity and Gender Plurality, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Département de Sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Léa J Séguin
- Département de Sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabel Côté
- Département de Travail Social, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Québec, Canada
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Closson K, Lee GY, Osborne Z, Hangle C, Nemutambwe T, Raj A, Leonce I, Kaida A. "Nobody has written the book about what non-binary people should put forward in relationships": Exploring gender equity in relationships of queer, trans, and non-monogamous young women and non-binary youth in British Columbia, Canada. Soc Sci Med 2024; 347:116759. [PMID: 38513562 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the unique ways in which queer, trans, and non-monogamous young women and non-binary youth navigate and negotiate equitable intimate relationships is a first step toward strong research, programs/resources, and policies to support healthy relationship dynamics across the life course. Using a youth-engaged collaborative Reflexive Thematic Analysis, we aimed to explore how youth of diverse genders and relationship experiences understand gender equity in their relationships. Thirty cis- and transgender inclusive young women (46.7%) and non-binary youth (53.3%) aged 17-29 who were in a current (76.6%) or recent (in past 12 months, 23.4%) non-heterosexual and/or non-monogamous intimate relationship and residing in British Columbia, Canada, completed qualitative interviews between August and November 2022. Of the 30 youth, 53.3% reported having experience living as a trans person, 33.3% identified only as bisexual and 10% identified as only lesbian or gay, whereas the remaining 56.7% identified with ≥1 of: queer, pansexual, and demisexual. Participants identified that relationship equity requires: 1) Moving away from cis-heteronormative conceptualizations of gender roles and norms; 2) Actively working to dismantle hierarchal power structures by sharing power, responsibility, labour, and decision-making; and 3) Accommodating and affirming each person's unique needs and identities in a relationship. For theme one, youth further described the ways in which they re-imagined relationship norms and discussed the various challenges to resisting ingrained hierarchical cis-heteronormativity. This research contributes a greater understanding of how to create equitable and healthy relationships and has important implications for healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers working with queer, transgender, and non-monogamous youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalysha Closson
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, USA; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada.
| | - Gem Y Lee
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
| | - Zoë Osborne
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
| | - Colby Hangle
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Northern British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | | | - Anita Raj
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, USA; Newcomb Institute, Tulane University, LA, USA; Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, LA, USA
| | | | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
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Lippmann M, Olwert MR, Leistner CE. Emerging Adults' Perspectives on Consensually Nonmonogamous Parenting. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:321-339. [PMID: 37943473 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02720-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is increasingly recognized as a relevant aspect of family and relational diversity in the USA, but CNM-parenting is still perceived as a taboo topic. Pioneering research has only started to emerge and reveals persisting notions of regulation, discrimination, and stigmatization of CNM-parents. CNM-stigmatization is less prevalent among emerging adults, but it is unclear whether young adults' increasing acceptance of CNM relationships extends to their views on parenting. To explore emerging adults' perspectives on CNM-parenting, we conducted a mixed-method study with a diverse sample of 107 US-American college students. Each participant read four relationship-vignettes (monogamy, CNM-polyamory, CNM-open relationship, CNM-swinging) in randomized order, provided ratings for the perceived parenting capabilities of the described partners and described reasons for those ratings in short essays. On average, participants perceived the monogamous partners as more capable of raising children than the CNM partners. LGBTQ + participants perceived CNM-parents, especially polyamorous and swinging partners, as more capable for parenthood than did heterosexual participants. There were no significant differences in response patterns between males and females. In their essays, participants discussed their views on how the different relationship structures might affect parenting and what they perceived as indicators and conditions for successful parenting. The results of this study were interpreted relative to life-course perspectives of identity development, and relative to politico-economic perspectives on parental investment and sexual strategy theories. Implications are derived for sexuality education, research, and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lippmann
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Chico, 400 West First Street, Chico, CA, 95926, USA.
| | - Madeline R Olwert
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christine E Leistner
- Department of Public Health and Health Services Administration, California State University, Chico, Chico, CA, USA
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de Rivas S, Lecuona Ó, Castro Á, Barrada JR. Personality and Mating Orientations in Monogamy and Consensual Non-Monogamy in Young Spanish University Students. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:1785-1798. [PMID: 36469146 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is a non-normative relationship that can generally be defined as relationships in which the involved individuals have openly agreed that they can have other sexual and/or affective partners. Despite growing interest in CNM, little research has been conducted regarding characteristics of the involved individuals, as well as comparing CNM individuals and monogamous individuals' characteristics. Expanding this research is important, as CNM constitutes a sizeable minority group, and CNM individuals and relationships are subject to stigma and dehumanization. The present study compared CNM and monogamous individuals in terms of personality (including "dark" personality) and mating orientations (sociosexuality and long-term mating) in young Spanish university students. Main results indicated that CNM individuals did not differ much in personality nor were they prone to higher "dark" personality traits when compared to monogamous individuals. Regarding mating orientations, CNM individuals were prone to higher sociosexuality levels and lower levels of long-term mating. Interestingly, results showed positive correlations between sociosexuality and "dark" personality in monogamous individuals, but not in CNM individuals. In conclusion, young Spanish university CNM individuals seem to be more pro-sex than monogamous people and less committed to the romantic love narrative of long-term mating, but these individuals were not more untrustworthy, self-centered, ruthless, or malevolent. Results were also discussed regarding their implications in the stigma and dehumanization of CNM people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara de Rivas
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, King Juan Carlos University, Departamental II, Desp. 1023. Avenida de Atenas s/n, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Óscar Lecuona
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, King Juan Carlos University, Departamental II, Desp. 1023. Avenida de Atenas s/n, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biological and Health Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Castro
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
| | - Juan Ramón Barrada
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
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Döring N, Bhana D, Albury K. Digital sexual identities: Between empowerment and disempowerment. Curr Opin Psychol 2022; 48:101466. [PMID: 36242854 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In the digital age, people increasingly explore and express their sexual identities online. The management and development of digital sexual identities can provide opportunities of empowerment on the individual, interpersonal, and societal level. At the same time, social media users are confronted with risks of sexual disempowerment in terms of identity de-validation, social exclusion, discrimination or even criminalization. The review article summarizes the current state of research on six selected sexual identities: (1) heterosexual, (2) LGBTIQ+, (3) asexual, (4) kink and fetish, (5) polyamory, and (6) sex worker identities in digital contexts. Covering a variety of social media platforms and cultural backgrounds, the review demonstrates that digital sexual identities are best understood as multifaceted socio-technical phenomena with ambivalent outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Döring
- Technische Universität Ilmenau, IfMK, Ehrenbergstraße 29, 98693, Ilmenau, Germany.
| | - Deevia Bhana
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X03, Ashwood, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kath Albury
- Swinburne University of Technology, John Street, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. 3122
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Model of motivations for engaging in polyamorous relationships. SEXOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sexol.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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