Non-monogamous relationships ‘just as happy’ as monogamous ones, study finds
Open relationships are ‘just as satisfied’ ad monogamous ones, study finds (Stock photograph via Elements Envato)
Open relationships are 'just as satisfied' ad monogamous ones, study finds (Stock photograph via Elements Envato)
A new study from The Journal of Sex Research has found that satisfaction levels in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships hold no significant difference.
The research, published 24 March and titled Countering the Monogamy-Superiority Myth, focuses on the difference in “relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction” in different forms of relationships – i.e. monogamous or otherwise.
The analysis of 35 studies across the US and Europe found 24,489 people in both types of relationships reported similar levels of satisfaction in both their relationships and sex lives.
“Monogamous relationships are often assumed to offer greater satisfaction, intimacy, commitment, passion and trust than non-monogamous ones. This widespread belief – what we term as the ‘monogamy-superiority myth’ – is often reinforced by stereotypes and media narratives,” associate professor Joel Anderson, the study’s lead author said, as reported by The Independent.
“Our findings challenge this long-standing assumption outside of academia, providing further evidence that people in consensually non-monogamous relationships experience similar levels of satisfaction in their relationships and sex lives as those in monogamous ones.”
Monogamy refers to a ‘traditional’ relationship in which both individuals are exclusively sexually, romantically and emotionall involved with the other. Non-monogamy can take the form of an open relationship (where partners are romantically exclusive but not sexually) or involve a polyamorous one, in which multiple partners are involved romantically and sexually.
Higher percentages of gay men tend to be involved in open relationships than their heterosexual or lesbian counterparts, with a 2021 study suggesting that 30% of gay men engage in consensual non-monogamy.
Anderson added, “Romantic and sexual satisfaction significantly contribute to our overall well-being. These results call into question some of the common misconceptions about non-monogamy. Despite our findings demonstrating comparable satisfaction levels, people in non-monogamous relationships often face stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing supportive healthcare and legal recognition.”
He also said that the same levels of satisfaction is experienced across all types of non-monogamous relationships (i.e. open or polyamorous).
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