TY - JOUR
T1 - “Oh! How Modern! And... Are You Ok with That?”
T2 - Consensually Non-Monogamous People’s Experiences When Accessing Sexual Health Care
AU - Campbell, C.
AU - Scoats, R.
AU - Wignall, L.
PY - 2023/8/28
Y1 - 2023/8/28
N2 - The current research explored consensually non-monogamous peoples’ experiences accessing sexual healthcare. Using a mixed method approach, a sample of 67 consensually non-monogamous individuals (48% Polyamorous; 42% Relationship Anarchy/Solo polyamory; 6% Swingers; 4% Uncategorized) reported having significantly lower rates of trust in healthcare professionals compared to standardized scores. Sixty-three percent of participants reported disclosing their relationship status to a clinician when accessing sexual health services, whereas 37% sometimes or never disclosed. Qualitative responses identified that some participants reported a willingness to be open about their relationships, but many chose to “pass” as monogamous to both simplify and streamline their interactions as well as to avoid potential stigma. Participants reported a wide range of experiences with clinicians from those who were accepting and professional, to some who displayed prejudice and withheld treatment. This research outlines some of the experiences and challenges presented to consensual non-monogamists when accessing sexual healthcare as well as providing suggestions for clinicians to help remove some of the barriers to appropriate patient care.
AB - The current research explored consensually non-monogamous peoples’ experiences accessing sexual healthcare. Using a mixed method approach, a sample of 67 consensually non-monogamous individuals (48% Polyamorous; 42% Relationship Anarchy/Solo polyamory; 6% Swingers; 4% Uncategorized) reported having significantly lower rates of trust in healthcare professionals compared to standardized scores. Sixty-three percent of participants reported disclosing their relationship status to a clinician when accessing sexual health services, whereas 37% sometimes or never disclosed. Qualitative responses identified that some participants reported a willingness to be open about their relationships, but many chose to “pass” as monogamous to both simplify and streamline their interactions as well as to avoid potential stigma. Participants reported a wide range of experiences with clinicians from those who were accepting and professional, to some who displayed prejudice and withheld treatment. This research outlines some of the experiences and challenges presented to consensual non-monogamists when accessing sexual healthcare as well as providing suggestions for clinicians to help remove some of the barriers to appropriate patient care.
KW - History and Philosophy of Science
KW - General Psychology
KW - Sociology and Political Science
KW - Gender Studies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175963959&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/00224499.2023.2246464
DO - 10.1080/00224499.2023.2246464
M3 - Article
SN - 0022-4499
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - The Journal of Sex Research
JF - The Journal of Sex Research
ER -