Multidimensional Measurement of Attitudes Toward Consensual Non-Monogamy

ABSTRACT

Despite increased interest in consensual non-monogamy (CNM), significant stigma remains against CNM. Consequently, there is a need for scales to assess attitudes toward CNM. In response to this need we developed the Multidimensional Attitudes toward CNM Scale (MACS). Items were developed in consultation with content experts and data were collected from two samples at two different Canadian Universities. Fit indices of exploratory (Sample A) and confirmatory (Sample B) factor analysis suggested a 16-item scale with three underlying factors: CNM is Dysfunctional, CNM is Immoral, and CNM is Healthy and Satisfying. Validity analyses, conducted using the combined sample (n = 806; 79% women; 67% heterosexual), demonstrated that participants with higher MACS total scores (i.e. more negative attitudes) were less likely to have ever been involved in a CNM relationship and were more likely to report monogamy as their ideal relationship style. Higher MACS scores were also associated with more negative attitudes toward bisexuality and toward women, and higher scores on measures of homophobia and jealousy. In contrast, individuals with higher scores on the CNM is Healthy subscale tended to score higher on measures of empathy. The MACS demonstrates strong psychometric properties and can assist in better understanding attitudes toward CNM relationships in research and clinical settings.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Drs. Amy C. Moors, Heath Schechinger, and Jessica Wood for their invaluable feedback during the refinement of the MACS items.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ Note that the other subscales of the Big Five Index were not included in these analyses as their reliability was below tolerance in the current study.

Additional information

Funding

Research for this project was supported by a UBC Hampton Research Grant [#F15-03830] and the Office of the Dean of Arts, Ryerson University. SSS was supported by a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship.