Prevalence of Experiences With Consensual Nonmonogamous Relationships

Findings From Two National Samples of Single Americans

Bibliographic Data

ID23325840
AuthorsM L Haupert (Indiana University), Mladen Haupert (Indiana University Bloomington), Amanda N Gesselman (0000-0001-6485-6404, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA), Amy C Moors (0000-0003-0956-9626, University of Michigan), Helen E Fisher (The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA), Helen Fisher (0000-0002-7876-7565, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey), J Roberto García (0000-0002-5198-4578, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume43
Issue5
Pages424-440
Publication date2017-07-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Sex & Marital Therapy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0092-623X • E-ISSN: 1521-0715
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0092623x.2016.1178675
PMID27096488
OpenAlexW2336359410
LanguageEN
Citations received135
References cited36

Although academic and popular interest in consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is increasing, little is known about the prevalence of CNM. Using two separate U.S. Census based quota samples of single adults in the United States (Study 1: n = 3,905; Study 2: n = 4,813), the present studies show that more than one in five (21.9% in Study 1; 21.2% in Study 2) participants report engaging in CNM at some point in their lifetime. This proportion remained constant across age, education level, income, religion, region, political affiliation, and race, but varied with gender and sexual orientation. Specifically, men (compared to women) and people who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (compared to those who identify as heterosexual) were more likely to report previous engagement in CNM. These findings suggest that a sizable and diverse proportion of U.S. adults have experienced CNM, highlighting the need to incorporate CNM into theoretical and empirical therapy and family science work.

Biology and political orientation · Developmental psychology · Lesbian · Political science · Politics · Race (biology) · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Young adult · Demography · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Medicine · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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