One in ten people have been in a polyamorous relationship and nearly 20% say they WANT to be in one, study finds
- A new study found that 11% of Americans they have been in a polyamorous – more than one partner at a time – relationship
- Another 17% of participants that they would be interested in being a part of one
- Men, younger people, non-heterosexual people more likely to be interested in polyamory
- Only 14 percent of those not interested in polyamory say that they respect polyamorous relationships
About 10 percent of Americans have been in a polyamorous relationship, a new study suggests.
Researchers at Chapman University and the University of Indiana Bloomington surveyed adults about polyamory, which is when partners agree to have more than one partner at a time.
Unlike an open relationship, or swinging, polyamorous relationships are also emotional relationships with others, not just based on sex.
The survey found that the concept is not as unpopular as one might imagine without nearly 20 percent who said they would be interested in joining a polyamorous relationship.
A new study found that 11% of Americans say that they have been in a polyamorous relationship, while about 20% say they will be interested in one, according to the study
According to lead author Dr Amy Moors, monogamy- a relationship with just one other individual – has been viewed as the most desired type of romantic connection.
However, the survey results suggest that polygamous relationship may be becoming increasingly popular, and less stigmatized.
For the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, the team surveyed 3,438 single Americans on their thoughts and experiences with polyamory.
They differentiated polyamory. In contrast from open relationships or couples who are swingers.
About 11 percent of those surveyed said they have previously been involved in a polyamorous relationship.
Almost one-fifth, 17 percent, of respondents said they have some desire for that type of relationship.
Of those who had previously been in this type of relationship, nearly one-third, 30 percent, said they would be willing to enter another polyamorous relationship.
Another third of respondents said they could not handle the emotional factors of being in a relationship with multiple partners.
More than 20 percent of those who had previously been in a polyamorous relationship said they were too possessive of their partners to do it again.
Those who had taken part in or were more willing to take part in polyamorous relationships were often younger, more likely to be a Democrat and more likely to be non-heterosexual.
Men were also more likely than women to want to engage in a polyamorous relationship.
Only 14 percent of respondents who have never been in, or never desire, a polyamorous relationship said they respect the relationship type.
‘These studies suggest that a relationship with one partner tends to function independently of a relationship with another partner as both relationships were considered fulfilling, satisfying, and secure (essentially without influencing each other),’ the researchers wrote.
For future research, the team plans to examine why some people thrive in polyamorous relationships while others do not.
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