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Attitudes Toward and Willingness to Engage in Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM) Among African Americans Who Have Never Engaged in CNM

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Abstract

Research on consensual non-monogamy (CNM) has largely focused on CNM behavior, while less attention has been given to attitudes toward and willingness to engage in CNM. Additionally, the study of CNM among African Americans is underexplored. Through an online survey study, we examined the correlates of attitudes toward and willingness to engage in CNM among African Americans who have never engaged in CNM, as attitudes and willingness provide insight into future behavior and stigmatization of CNM. We also assessed open-ended responses of reasons given for considering or not considering CNM engagement. A total of 904 African Americans between the ages of 18–40 participated in this study. Regressions were utilized to determine the correlates of attitudes toward and willingness to engage in CNM. Sexual orientation and gender were significant predictors of attitudes toward CNM. Age, sexual orientation, and gender were significant predictors of willingness to engage in CNM. Qualitative analyses revealed three themes among those who have considered engaging in CNM: (1) always been curious or had fantasies about trying a threesome, swinging, or open relationship, (2) thinks it would be fun, provides excitement, and can improve the relationship, and (3) would consider it under the right circumstances. Most participants reported never considering CNM engagement for the following reasons: (1) CNM is inconsistent with religious beliefs, morals, or values, (2) is just not for me, (3) it’s the same as cheating, (4) committed to partner, (5) the belief that CNM increases risk of HIV/STIs, and (6) that CNM causes drama.

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Funding

This study was funded by the University at Buffalo, Buffalo Center for Social Research, Les Brun Pilot Funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, 645 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1050, USA

    Noelle M. St.Vil

  2. Department of Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA

    Kelly N. Giles

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  1. Noelle M. St.Vil
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Correspondence to Noelle M. St.Vil.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical Standards

Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the University at Buffalo. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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St.Vil, N.M., Giles, K.N. Attitudes Toward and Willingness to Engage in Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM) Among African Americans Who Have Never Engaged in CNM. Arch Sex Behav 51, 1823–1831 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02268-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02268-2

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