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A recent study published in Psychology & Sexuality suggests that polyamory is not only present among adolescents but also comes with significant stigma and mental health challenges. This research, one of the first to focus on polyamorous youth, found that 16.7% of the participants at an LGBTQ+ summer camp identified as polyamorous or ambiamorous. These adolescents reported higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to their peers.
Polyamory refers to a relationship structure in which individuals have multiple romantic partners simultaneously, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Unlike cheating, which involves secrecy and betrayal, polyamory is based on honesty, communication, and mutual agreement among all partners. Polyamorous relationships can vary widely and do not necessarily involve sexual activity; they may focus on emotional and romantic connections.
Ambiamory is a related term that describes a person’s flexibility in their relationship preferences. Ambiamorous individuals are open to either monogamous or polyamorous relationships, depending on their current situation and the preferences of their partners. Essentially, ambiamorous people do not have a fixed preference for one type of relationship structure over another; instead, they adapt to what feels right based on their circumstances and the dynamics with their partners.
The motivation behind the new study stemmed from the growing visibility and acceptance of polyamory among adults, coupled with a lack of understanding about its presence and impact among adolescents. While polyamory has been featured more prominently in media and research focusing on adults, there has been little exploration of how these relationship structures affect younger individuals.
To investigate whether polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents experience higher levels of mental health challenges, study author Traci Gillig surveyed individuals at Brave Trails, a summer camp designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. A total of 323 adolescents, aged 12 to 17, participated in the research. These participants were selected as they attended the camp during the summer of 2023.
Participants completed surveys at two different points: before the camp began and on the last full day of the camp. These surveys included standardized assessments to measure anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 was used to assess anxiety, while the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form was employed to measure depressive symptoms. These tools are well-established in psychological research and provide reliable data on the mental health status of the participants.
In addition to mental health assessments, the surveys asked participants about their preferred relationship structure and their comfort level with being open about their relationship preferences in their home communities. The participants could choose from options like monogamous, polyamorous, ambiamorous, or unsure, and they were also given the opportunity to elaborate on their responses through open-ended questions.
The study also included qualitative elements. Participants provided written explanations about their perceptions of safety and acceptance regarding their polyamorous identity. These qualitative responses were analyzed thematically to identify common patterns and themes related to their experiences and feelings of safety in their home environments.
Gillig found that a substantial portion of the camp’s participants, approximately 16.7%, identified as polyamorous or ambiamorous. These polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents exhibited elevated depressive symptoms before attending the camp. However, the study found no significant difference in anxiety levels between polyamorous/ambiamorous youth and their peers at the outset, indicating that the impact on mental health may be more pronounced in terms of depressive symptoms rather than anxiety.
A notable aspect of the findings was the impact of the supportive environment provided by the LGBTQ+ camp. All adolescents, regardless of their relationship preferences, showed improved mental health by the end of the camp. Both depressive symptoms and anxiety levels decreased significantly after spending time in this accepting and affirming setting. This highlights the importance of creating supportive spaces for marginalized youth, where they can explore their identities without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Despite the overall improvement in mental health, the study revealed that many polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents did not feel safe being open about their identity in their home communities. Less than half (44.4%) of these youth felt safe or would feel safe disclosing their polyamorous identity at home. The qualitative data provided deeper insight into this issue, with many adolescents expressing concerns about being misunderstood, judged, or stigmatized if they were open about their relationship preferences.
The thematic analysis of the written responses identified several reasons why these adolescents did not feel safe. The most common reasons included the stigmatization of polyamory, a lack of understanding about polyamorous relationships, and uncertainty or fear about how people would react. Many adolescents mentioned that even those who accepted their LGBTQ+ identity might not be supportive of their polyamorous identity, indicating a specific gap in acceptance and understanding within their communities.
“It was notable that many of the polyamorous teens said they wouldn’t feel safe being out in their home communities,” said Gillig, an assistant professor at Washington State University. “They felt like they would be misunderstood or that people have stereotypes or judgments around what it means for them to be poly, like that they are promiscuous or don’t perceive cheating as a problem.”
“Youths’ experience with being polyamorous or ambiamorous is similar to being LGBTQ+ in that if they perceive that they won’t be supported, then they’re not as likely to disclose their identity at home. We know from research with queer youth that this can cause elevated levels of depressive symptoms,” she added. “My hope is that parents would have an open mind, if their child comes to them and expresses that they identify as polyamorous or if they have questions about it.”
On the other hand, the adolescents who did feel safe being open about their polyamorous identity often cited supportive or indifferent attitudes in their communities, knowing other polyamorous individuals, and a strong comfort with their own identity as reasons for their sense of safety. These protective factors underscore the importance of having visible support networks and fostering an environment where diverse relationship structures are understood and accepted.
The study, “Polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents: a first empirical look at mental health in an LGBTQ+ sample,” was published online on April 28, 2024.