A recent study suggests that those in consensually non-monogamous relationships generally experience less jealousy than their monogamous counterparts. However, feeling less desirable compared to a partner causes similar stress across both relationship types. Published in Evolution and Human Behavior, the research examines ‘mate value discrepancy’ (MVD), a term psychologists use to describe the perceived gap in attractiveness, intelligence, or success between partners.

Research indicates that feeling ‘out of one’s league’ compared to a partner can lead to insecurity or tension in monogamous relationships. The study aimed to determine if this pattern exists in couples with non-exclusive arrangements, such as polyamory or open relationships. Newsweek reached out to the study’s lead author, Faith L. Swanson from Texas State University’s Department of Psychology, for insights via email.

Study Methodology

Researchers collected data from 512 participants across 62 countries, involving 312 from monogamous relationships and 200 from non-monogamous ones. Participants evaluated their own value as a partner and described how they managed challenges like jealousy and conflict. Established psychological measures were used to assess mate value, mate guarding, conflict, and relationship maintenance behaviors.

Impact of Feeling Less Desirable

In both relationship types, individuals who perceived themselves as more replaceable than their main partner reported heightened conflict and rivalry with same-sex others. This aligns with previous research on monogamous couples, where feeling less desirable often leads to viewing the relationship as insecure, potentially fostering jealousy and controlling behaviors.

For secondary partners in non-monogamous relationships, the dynamic shifted. Here, feeling more desirable than a secondary partner led to increased conflict and rivalry, contradicting typical patterns seen with primary partners.

The Role of Communication

Overall, individuals in non-monogamous relationships reported less jealousy, lower mate guarding, and reduced rivalry compared to monogamous participants. The study identified communication as crucial in minimizing relationship issues. Open discussions about attraction and jealousy, and in the context of non-monogamous relationships, feeling genuine happiness about a partner’s interactions with others, emerged as key. Conversely, ranking partners hierarchically often backfired, worsening jealousy, rivalry, and resentment.

The findings challenge the notion that non-monogamy inherently eliminates jealousy. While non-monogamous individuals were not more vulnerable to desirability disparities than monogamous ones, they were not more resistant either. Since monogamy remains culturally dominant globally, past research has primarily focused on monogamous couples. These findings, however, offer potential guidance for counselors and educators working with diverse relationship structures.

Reference: Swanson, F. L., et al. (2026). How perceived mate value discrepancies affect jealousy, mate guarding, intrasexual competition, and partner conflict in monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships. Evolution and Human Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2026.106936.

For further details, editors Kara Dolman and Emma Lee-Sang can be contacted at Newsweek.