Open Relationships Just as Fulfilling as Monogamy - Study

Nearly 25,000 people. 35 studies. Six countries. And a finding that will probably surprise some.

How often have you heard: "Open relationships never really work"? Or: "If you have multiple partners, it can't be as fulfilling"? A new meta-analysis in The Journal of Sex Research shows: That's not true. People in open relationships are just as satisfied as monogamous couples. No statistical difference. Not in relationship quality, not in sexual satisfaction, not in trust.

What the Study About Open Relationships Found

Joel Anderson and his team from La Trobe University surveyed 24,489 people. Singles, couples, polyamory configurations, swingers, "monogamish" arrangements. The complete spectrum of non-monogamous relationship forms against classic monogamy.

The result is surprising: No measurable difference in relationship satisfaction. Not among heterosexual couples, not among LGBTQ+ couples. Not in trust, not in intimacy, not in commitment. The numbers are clear. The relationship model itself doesn't make the difference.

What does Anderson conclude? In The Conversation he writes: Satisfaction doesn't depend on exclusivity. It depends on whether partners feel seen, supported, and aligned in their values. Sounds simple. But it's a direct contradiction to what many of us have heard. That monogamy is the "right" or "natural" way.

Open Relationships in Numbers

Here's where it gets interesting: Open relationships aren't a niche topic anymore. 21.2% of Americans have experienced a consensually non-monogamous relationship at some point in their lives. More than one in five. These aren't "other people." These are your neighbors, your colleagues, maybe people in your friend circle who just don't talk about it.

Currently, 4 to 5% of the US population lives in such partnerships. That sounds like a small number. But that's about 13 to 16 million people in the US alone. Not a small minority.

Younger generations are particularly open: 68% of Gen Z would consider non-monogamous relationships. Among Millennials, it's 64%. For Baby Boomers, 43%.

The shift is clear. Younger people grow up with the idea that there are various valid ways to structure relationships. This isn't moral decline. It's an expansion of what's considered normal.

What This Means for Your Relationship

The study doesn't say: "Open relationships are better." It says: "Both can work."

The key question isn't: "Monogamous or open?" The question is: "What works for us? And are we both honest about it?"

That's what separates functional non-monogamous relationships from infidelity: Consent. Communication. Transparency. When everyone involved knows what's happening and agrees with it, that's not cheating. That's a conscious decision about how to structure a relationship.

Platforms that promote safe and open communication help establish these foundations.

An important context: Amy Moors from Chapman University has documented how strong the social stigma against non-monogamous relationships is. And precisely this stigma, not the relationship form itself, can impair the relationship quality of people in open relationships.

In other words: If your open relationship is difficult, the problem might not be the openness. It might be the constant external pressure, the justifications, the hiding.

How to Approach an Open Relationship

Open relationships need clear agreements. Here are the key steps:

Have honest conversations: What does each person want? What are the boundaries? What fears exist?

Set rules together: What's allowed? What isn't? How do you communicate about new contacts?

Check in regularly: Feelings change. Rules can be adjusted. What matters is talking about it.

Platforms like SparkChambers support this diversity with features like couple profiles that represent different relationship models.

The Scientific Context

This study joins growing research examining alternative relationship models. Terri Conley from the University of Michigan had previously published similar findings: few differences in relationship quality between monogamous and non-monogamous partnerships.

Whether you live monogamously, are in an open relationship, or are considering what works for you: Research shows your path is valid.

On SparkChambers you'll find people who understand that relationships don't have to fit into a single form. And who openly discuss what they really want.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The study shows equivalence, not superiority. There's no "right" way. There's only the way that works for you and your partners. Both relationship forms can lead to equally high satisfaction. It depends on individual needs and clear communication.

The key difference is consent. In an open relationship, both partners know and accept the agreements. Cheating involves deception and breach of trust. Open relationships are based on transparency, cheating on secrecy.

Researcher Amy Moors describes a "robust stigma." Social norms traditionally favor monogamy. These biases persist regardless of how happy people actually are in their relationships. The stigma is a social construct, not scientifically based.

About 4 to 5% of the US population currently lives in consensually non-monogamous partnerships. 21.2% have had some experience with them at some point in their lives. You're not alone. Many people explore alternative relationship forms.

The meta-analysis includes data from six countries, primarily Western cultures. Comparable patterns are likely for other Western nations, though specific regional data may be limited. The fundamental mechanisms of relationship satisfaction are similar across cultures.

No. The study found no significant personality differences between people in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships. What matters are clear communication, honesty, and mutual consent. These are skills that can be learned. More insights can be found in our relationship blog.