Academic Research on ENM

One of our goals at ENM Brighton is to make resources on ethical non-monogamy (ENM) easier to find and share. Academic research can often feel hidden away in journals or university libraries, so we’ve collected a list of studies that dig into attachment, stigma, parenting, therapy, and more. This list will grow over time - for now, here’s a starting point if you want to explore ENM through an academic lens.

Reconceptualizing Attachment Theory Through the Lens of Polyamory, by Katz & Katz (2021), read here

Explores how attachment theory shifts when applied to polyamorous dynamics, challenging the assumption that “secure” always means “exclusive.”

Parenting, Polyamory and Consensual Non-monogamy. Critical and Queer Perspectives, by Klesse et al. (2022), read here

Looks at how polyamorous and CNM families parent, and how they challenge traditional ideas of kinship and care.

A Closer Look at Relationship Structures: Relationship Satisfaction and Attachment Among People Who Practice Hierarchical and Non-Hierarchical Polyamory, by Flicker et al. (2021), read here

Compares experiences of those in hierarchical vs. non-hierarchical polyamory, with a focus on attachment styles and satisfaction.

What do we know about consensual non-monogamy? by Scoats & Campbell (2022), read here

A broad review of existing research on CNM, mapping what’s known — and what’s still missing — in the field.

What Drives the Dehumanization of Consensual Non-Monogamous Partners? by Rodrigues et al. (2021), read here

Investigates stigma against CNM partners, asking why people are seen as less “human” or moral when they’re non-monogamous.

Internalized Consensual Non-Monogamy Negativity and Relationship Quality Among People Engaged in Polyamory, Swinging, and Open Relationships, by Moors et al. (2021), read here

Looks at how internalized stigma about CNM impacts satisfaction and relationship health across different non-monogamous styles.

Queer(ing) Consensual Non-monogamies, Queering Therapy: Queer Intimacy, Kinship, and Experiences of CNM in LGBTQIA+ Lives, by Klesse et al. (2022), read here

Examines CNM through a queer theory lens, particularly in the context of therapy and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Stories Told Together: Male Narratives of Non-Monogamous Bi+ and Heterosexual Men, by Castro (2021), read here

Shares first-person narratives of men in CNM, with a focus on bisexuality, masculinity, and storytelling.