Minority stress in consensually non-monogamous individuals: mental health implications

Abstract

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is an area of increasing empirical and clinical interest. Few studies have explored the mental health of CNM individuals. Using the minority stress framework, we sought to address this gap. We analyzed a data set of college students gathered through the Healthy Minds Network. A sample of 91 participants with data fit for analyses were identified as CNM. Random samples of participants in other relationship structures were also selected yielding a total sample of n = 455. Results indicated CNM individuals are significantly more likely to identify as gender/sexual minorities, be significantly younger, and report significantly higher rates of emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual assault, and depression compared to non-CNM individuals. CNM individuals did not differ from non-CNM individuals in terms of sex assigned at birth, race, and financial stress. When controlling for demographics, CNM individuals reported significantly higher depressive symptoms compared to those who were dating and married. Multinomial regression analyses, with all relevant covariates entered, suggested probable depression to be associated with higher odds of identifying as CNM compared to married/partnered participants, and sexual assault within the past 12 months to be associated with higher odds of identifying as CNM compared those who were dating and those were married/partnered. We discuss areas for continued research as well as implications for clinicians working with CNM clients.

Lay Summary

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is a stigmatized practice in Western society. Because of this, it is possible that CNM individuals experience disproportionate psychological distress. Our sample of 91 CNM individuals reported significantly more psychological distress compared to non-CNM individuals. When demographic factors were held-constant, CNM individuals reported significantly more depression compared to those who were married and dating.

Keywords:

• Polyamory
• mental health
• romantic relationships
• minority stress
• consensual non-monogamy

Notes

1 Analyses were also conducted in which CNM individuals were compared to the full HMS sample. These results were consistent with the presented findings; though all relationship statuses evidenced significant discrepancies on indicators of mental health compared to CNM individuals even when covariates were entered. We chose to present the current results to control for bias that may have been introduced from the radically uneven sample sizes present in the full sample.