(880) Beyond Monogamy: Attachment Styles and Relationship Well-Being in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships

Introduction Consensually non-monogamous relationships (CNMR), such as polyamory, open relationships, and swinging, are gaining visibility and legitimacy, challenging long-standing assumptions about exclusivity in romantic and sexual bonds. Attachment theory remains a cornerstone in understanding intimacy, trust, and emotional regulation, yet much of the research in this field has traditionally focused on monogamous relationships. Emerging evidence suggests that CNMR can also support secure attachment and high-quality relational functioning, inviting a broader examination of attachment processes beyond monogamous frameworks. Objectives This study aimed to synthesize empirical findings on how attachment styles relate to relationship functioning, emotional well-being and satisfaction within CNMR. Methods A narrative review was conducted of studies published between 2010 and 2025, identified through searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, using the keywords "consensual non-monogamy", "polyamory", "open relationships", "attachment style" and “romantic attachment”. Results Across studies, individuals engaged in CNMR consistently exhibited secure attachment patterns comparable to or more stable than those of monogamous participants. In a community sample of polyamorous individuals, attachment anxiety and avoidance were lower than normative levels, and each relationship functioned as an independent attachment bond. Meta-analytic findings revealed no significant differences in relationship or sexual satisfaction between monogamous and non-monogamous individuals. Avoidant attachment predicted greater willingness but lower actual engagement in CNMR and moderated the link between positive attitudes toward CNMR and sexual satisfaction. Hierarchical polyamorous structures were associated with lower satisfaction and attachment security than non-hierarchical ones. Furthermore, CNMR participants reported higher compersion (positive emotion toward a partner’s external relationship) and lower jealousy than monogamous individuals; compersion mediated the positive link between attachment security and satisfaction. Overall, secure attachment and cognitive empathy were associated with greater satisfaction, stability, and emotional regulation across CNMR configurations. Conclusions Evidence from the past fifteen years challenges the assumption that non-monogamy reflects relational insecurity or dysfunction. Instead, CNMR can foster emotional growth, trust, and attachment security comparable to monogamous bonds when grounded in secure attachment and open communication. Avoidant attachment may limit these benefits, whereas secure attachment and empathy enhance relational harmony. These findings highlight the importance of understanding attachment as a dynamic process that transcends exclusivity and underscore the need for inclusive theoretical and clinical approaches that accommodate diverse relational structures. Future research should explore how attachment and emotional regulation interact over time to shape well-being in CNMR, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of human intimacy beyond traditional monogamy. Disclosure No