Monogamy in question: Predictors of perceived shifts in attitudes toward monogamy and consensual non-monogamy during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to increased self-reflection and shifts in personal priorities, including romantic and sexual relationships. Drawing on socioemotional selectivity theory and terror management theory, this study examines whether the pandemic influenced U.S. adults’ attitudes toward monogamy and openness to consensual non-monogamy (CNM). Using a national sample of 2,004 adults surveyed in January 2021, the authors explored the participants’ perceived changes in the importance of monogamy and the likelihood of pursuing CNM relationships, along with demographic correlates. The results showed that for most participants, monogamy’s importance to them remained stable, yet 23% reported decreased importance, and 11% expressed greater interest in CNM relationships. Demographic factors, such as age, transgender identity, sexual orientation, and parental status, were significantly associated with attitudes toward monogamy and CNM. These findings highlight the pandemic’s dual role in reinforcing monogamy for some while prompting others to explore alternative relationship structures. This study underscores the importance of understanding relational shifts during societal disruptions and offers a foundation for future research on how crises shape intimate relationships.