Monogamous and non-monogamous people report similar levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction, a La Trobe University-led meta-analysis has found.
The study, published in The Journal of Sex Research, analysed data from 35 studies involving 24,489 people across multiple countries, including Australia. It found no significant differences in satisfaction between monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships, such as open relationships and polyamory.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Joel Anderson said the findings challenged the “monogamy superiority” myth. “Non-monogamous relationships often avoid infidelity, a key factor in monogamous relationship breakdowns,” he said.
The study calls for greater recognition of diverse relationship structures.
