Exploring Relationship Dynamics in Polyamorous Families

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dc.contributor.advisorChu, Manwai
dc.contributor.advisorRadtke, H. Lorraine
dc.contributor.authorKaiser, Melody Anne
dc.contributor.committeememberKassan, Anusha
dc.contributor.committeememberBoon, Susan D
dc.date2020-02
dc.date.accessioned2019-12-20T23:50:20Z
dc.date.available2019-12-20T23:50:20Z
dc.date.issued2019-12-20
dc.description.abstractThe practice of polyamory appears to be increasing in North America. If so, the number of children being raised in polyamorous families will also rise. The construct of polyamory is still being formulated and more quantitative studies are needed to define, measure, and examine polyamory over time. This study compared 117 polyamorous and 193 monogamous parents on measures of relationship stability, relationship health, communication styles during conflict, relationship satisfaction, and parenting styles. A new measure that gauges monogamous and polyamorous propensities, the Monogamy Polyamory Spectrum Questionnaire (MPSQ), was also examined for its use in future polyamory research. Analyses indicated that compared to monogamous parents, polyamorous parents reported (a) having healthier relationships with more social support, companionship, and less social distress from negative relationships; (b) using the constructive communication style of compromise more, and the destructive communication styles of emotional reactivity and domination less; (c) higher relationship satisfaction; and (d) using the authoritative parenting style to a greater extent. Gender differences were only found on the MPSQ, with men scoring significantly higher than women. The MPSQ demonstrated psychometrics evidence of high reliability, good construct validity, and strong predictive validity. This study provides evidence that polyamorous families may be just as healthy, if not healthier than monogamous families. These findings have implications for counselling and health professionals, as well as for marriage and family law to ensure policies and practices do not discriminate against those who practice polyamory. Researchers may use the MPSQ to improve upon participant self-categorization and examine the stability of polyamory over time.en_US
dc.identifier.citationKaiser, M. A. (2019). Exploring Relationship Dynamics in Polyamorous Families (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/37366
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/111374
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyWerklund School of Educationen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectpolyamoryen_US
dc.subjectpolyamorous familiesen_US
dc.subjectconsensual non-monogamyen_US
dc.subjectrelationship dynamicsen_US
dc.subjectrelationship healthen_US
dc.subjectcommunication during conflicten_US
dc.subjectrelationship satisfactionen_US
dc.subjectparenting stylesen_US
dc.subject.classificationEducational Psychologyen_US
dc.subject.classificationEducation--Guidance and Counselingen_US
dc.subject.classificationPsychologyen_US
dc.titleExploring Relationship Dynamics in Polyamorous Familiesen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEducation Graduate Program – Educational Psychologyen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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