Need Fulfillment in Polyamorous Relationships

TLDR

Polyamory involves simultaneous consensual romantic relationships with multiple partners, yet the impact of need fulfillment in one relationship on outcomes in another remains unexplored. The study aims to examine whether need fulfillment with one partner predicts satisfaction and commitment in a concurrent partner. The authors surveyed 1,093 polyamorous participants online, measuring need fulfillment, satisfaction, and commitment across two concurrent relationships. Participants reported high need fulfillment and satisfaction in both relationships, with only a small negative association between fulfillment in one and satisfaction in the other, no link to commitment, suggesting that polyamorous relationships are largely independent and can be a viable, fulfilling alternative.

Abstract

Polyamory is characterized by simultaneous consensual romantic relationships with multiple partners. Polyamory allows individuals to fulfill their relationship needs with multiple romantic partners, yet researchers have not identified how having needs met in one romantic relationship may be related to relationship outcomes in a concurrent relationship. Polyamorous individuals (N=1,093) completed online measures of need fulfillment, relationship satisfaction, and commitment for two concurrent romantic relationships. Participants reported high levels of need fulfillment and satisfaction in both relationships. Need fulfillment with one partner negatively predicted approximately 1% of the variance in relationship satisfaction with the other partner; however, there was no association between need fulfillment with one partner and commitment to the other. Generally, the findings suggest that polyamorous relationships are relatively independent of one another. This study provides initial evidence that polyamory may be a viable and fulfilling alternative way of conducting intimate relationships.