{"id":105205,"date":"2019-11-04T08:25:51","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T13:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/scientists-say-this-is-the-key-to-making-an-open-relationship-work\/"},"modified":"2019-11-04T08:25:51","modified_gmt":"2019-11-04T13:25:51","slug":"scientists-say-this-is-the-key-to-making-an-open-relationship-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/scientists-say-this-is-the-key-to-making-an-open-relationship-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists say this is the key to making an open relationship work"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientists say this is the key to making an open relationship work<\/b><\/p>\n

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Posed by models (Photo: Marcelo Chagas for Pexels<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you want to have sex<\/a> with people besides your other half, it\u2019s best to talk about it with your partner.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the \u2013 perhaps unsurprising \u2013 conclusion of a study into the success of open relationships carried out by researchers at the University of Rochester in California.<\/p>\n

They conducted online questionnaires of 1,658 couples<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Most respondents were in their 20s and 30s and in long-term relationships (with an average relationship span of 4.5 years).<\/p>\n

Approximately 12% identified as gay<\/a>\/lesbian<\/a>, 11.5% as bisexual<\/a> and 17% as \u2018heteroflexible\u2019 (i.e. open to the idea of same-sex<\/a> activity).<\/p>\n

Researchers split the respondents into five groups: Two monogamous (early-stage and longer-term relationships); One consenting non-monogamous group (i.e. fully open and honest about it), one partially-consenting non-monogamous group, and a one-sided non-monogamous group. That\u2019s one in which one person has sex<\/a> with others but their partner is not keen, has not agreed or does not know about it.<\/p>\n

They say these five groups broadly cover the spectrum of relationships and include what people might commonly refer to as \u201cswingers\u201d and \u201copen relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The consenting non-monogamous group made up about one in 13 of the respondents.<\/p>\n

Related: More and more gay Millennials are resurrecting monogamy from the dead<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Can you guess which relationships they found to be \u201cfunctioning\u201d the best?<\/p>\n

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It was the two monogamous groups and the consenting non-monogamous group (CNM). The two groups in which there were one-sided non-monogamy or low levels of discussion and agreement, were found to function less well.<\/p>\n

In the consenting non-monogamous group, there was \u201clow interest in monogamy and high levels of mutual consent, comfort, and communication around commitment and sexual activity with a person other than the primary partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

The research was not designed to say whether open relationships can be successful for all people, as different sorts of relationships will suit different types of people in different situations. However, good communication remains key to have a well-functioning relationship \u2013 whether open or closed.<\/p>\n

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Related: Are Millennials leading monogamy on a slow march towards death?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The study was published last month in the Journal of Sex Research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Roger Rogge, an associate professor at the University of Rochester\u2019s Psychology Department, told the University\u2019s website<\/a>: \u201cWe know that communication is helpful to all couples<\/a>. However, it is critical for couples<\/a> in nonmonogamous relationships as they navigate the extra challenges of maintaining a nontraditional relationship in a monogamy-dominated culture.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSecrecy surrounding sexual activity with others can all too easily become toxic and lead to feelings of neglect, insecurity, rejection, jealousy, and betrayal, even in nonmonogamous relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other findings included:<\/strong><\/p>\n