Even if monogamy is the most desirable form of romantic relationship in the modern era, humans engage in an array of mating strategies. We aimed to understand consensual non-monogamy (CNM) from an adaptationist perspective by developing a measure of CNM preferences (Open Relationship Questionnaire; ORQ) and linking it to various relationships and life outcomes. Following construct operationalization and a literature search of CNM-related attitudes and behaviors, we generated 69 items as the initial item pool for the questionnaire. In Study 1 ( n = 271), four factors emerged: negative perceptions toward CNM , emotional insecurity in open relationships , preferences for CNM , and discriminatory views of CNM , which are related to the Dark Triad traits, life history strategies, mate value, sociosexuality, childhood maltreatment, and romantic love. In Study 2 ( n = 272), we confirmed the internal structure of the ORQ and related it to childhood economic status and sexual fantasies. This research offers new and interesting insights into a specific, less (mis)understood mating strategy.
Burtăverde et al. (Tue,) studied this question.