This study aims at analyzing lay definitions of polyamory and to compare definitions presented by people in a monogamous relationship (MR) and on a consensual non-monogamous relationship (CNMR), and heterosexual people and non-heterosexual people.This exploratory qualitative study used data collected from a web survey with a convenience sample, where people answered the question "What does polyamory mean?". We conducted a thematic analysis in order to find patterns of meaning and used demographic data collected to compare themes between groups.The final sample comprised 463 participants, aged from 18 to 66 years (M= 32.19, SD = 10.01), mostly women (61%) and heterosexual (60,5%). Most respondents were in a monogamous relationship (54.2%), followed by no relationship (21%), and a nonmonogamous relationship (13.2%). Analysis shows people have a wide variety of definitions of polyamory, and that most people in our sample had a relative understanding of the term. People in CNMR valued positive feelings, and expressed themes of commitment, informed consent and cohabitation, while these themes were less present monogamous people's responses. The findings relation to stigma and dehumanization is discussed.
The article “Defining Polyamory: A Thematic Analysis of Lay People’s Definitions”, written by Daniel Cardoso, Patricia M. Pascoal, and Francisco Hertel Maiochi, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 27 May 2021 without open access.
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