Willingness of Emerging Adults to Engage in Consensual Non-Monogamy: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Abstract

Over the past decade, research on consensual non-monogamy (CNM) has increased. However, willingness to engage in CNM is an understudied phenomenon within this field. Because qualitative methods are rarely used to study this phenomenon, little is known about why individuals may or may not be willing to engage in CNM. Further, research on CNM has devoted little attention to the period of emerging adulthood. The current study used a mixed-methods approach to examine a sample of emerging adults' (ages 18-29; N = 549) willingness to engage in CNM. Results from a qualitative content analysis revealed three distinct groups (Unwilling, Willing, and Open-Minded), and several subthemes emerged within each group that help explain why emerging adults are willing to engage in CNM. Quantitative analyses examined the relationship between group membership and demographic characteristics, finding that a greater proportion of women and heterosexual participants were Unwilling. Results also indicated that a greater proportion of men were Willing, and a greater proportion of sexual minorities were Open-Minded. Group mean differences were examined using quantitative measures of CNM attitudes and willingness. The Unwilling group reported more negative attitudes towards CNM compared to the Open-Minded and Willing groups. Additionally, the Open-Minded group reported more negative attitudes compared to the Willing group. On the willingness to engage in CNM Scale, the Unwilling group had lower mean scores compared to the Willing and Open-Minded groups. The Willing group had higher mean scores compared to the Open-Minded group. Implications for CNM research and methodology are discussed.

Defining Polyamory: A Thematic Analysis of Lay People’s Definitions

“…Nevertheless, informed by the study of Sizemore and Olmstead ( 2018 ), we considered that self-reporting unwillingness to be consensually involved in a non-monogamous relationship would be a reliable/valid indicator of out-group status. Therefore, in the monogamous group, we included those people who reported involvement in monogamous relationships and also expressed unwillingness to be involved in any form of CNM, as measured by Item 5 of the Willingness to Engage in Consensual Non-Monogamy Scale (Sizemore & Olmstead, 2017).…”

A Decade Review of Sex and Partnering in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

“…In addition, studies frequently used open‐ended questions embedded within surveys (typically online surveys) to content analyze responses to identify prominent themes and subthemes. For example, open‐ended responses were analyzed in studies about hookups (Kenney, Thadani, Ghaidarov, & LaBrie, ), meanings for sex (Olmstead, Anders, & Conrad, ) and willingness to engage in CNM relationships (Sizemore & Olmstead, ). Qualitative methods continue to enhance how we understand relationship formation and sexual experience.…”

“…For example, open-ended responses were analyzed in studies about hookups (Kenney, Thadani, Ghaidarov, & LaBrie, 2013), meanings for sex (Olmstead, Anders, & Conrad, 2017) and willingness to engage in CNM relationships (Sizemore & Olmstead, 2018). Qualitative methods continue to enhance how we understand relationship formation and sexual experience.…”

“…Recently, Sizemore and Olmstead () used a mixed‐methods approach to more fully understand emerging adults' willingness to engage in CNM. First, they examined a large sample ( N = 660) of college‐attending emerging adults' responses to an open‐ended item asking how willing they would be to engage in a nonmonogamous relationship if a romantic partner approached them and demonstrated interest in this type of relationship.…”

Revising Premarital Relationship Interventions for the Next Generation

“…Another attitude shift among young adults is questioning whether the traditional value of monogamy remains an essential element of marriage. Research is finding more openness to participating in consensual non‐monogamy (CNM) (Sizemore & Olmstead, ). More than a quarter of American adults now say that monogamy is unrealistic in modern relationships (60 Minutes/Vanity Fair Poll, ), with young Americans likely saying this at even higher rates.…”