4 - (SYM 21) Examining Conservatism and Perceptions of Consensual Non-monogamy in Oklahoma

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is often under-discussed due to concerns related to negative repercussions upon disclosure. In politically conservative areas in particular, little is known about the factors which lead to CNM support and acceptance. The following study investigates the role of various constructs related to conservatism in the conservative, largely rural state of Oklahoma. In alignment with Cohen and Wilson’s (2017) finding that LGBTQ+ populations are more accepting of CNM than cisgender heterosexual (cishet) people, we hypothesized that LGBTQ+ people would be more supportive of CNM than cishet individuals. A sample of Oklahomans (N=513) completed scales measuring sexual attitudes, social and economic conservatism, social dominance, and support for CNM. First, a Welch’s t-test was run to investigate the relationship between LGBTQ+ identity and CNM acceptance.Next, regression analyses were conducted with the overall sample  determining significant factors related to CNM acceptance with demographic variables of relationship status, urbanity, and Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) identity as controls. Next, participants were parsed into cishet (N=397) and LGBTQ+ (N=116) groups to conduct regression analyses examining unique factors contributing to CNM acceptance among each group. Process Model 1 analyses were run to investigate the potential  role of sexual attitudes as a moderator between CNM acceptance and factors of interest. Findings indicate LGBTQ+ participants were more accepting of CNM than cishet participants. In the model with the full sample, LGBTQ+ identity, BIPOC identity, sexual attitudes, social dominance, social conservatism, economic conservatism were significant predictors of CNM support. Split regression analyses indicate sexual attitudes, social conservatism, and economic conservatism were significant predictors of CNM support for LGBTQ+ participants, whereas BIPOC identity, relationship status, sexual attitudes, social dominance orientation, and social conservatism were significant predictors of CNM support for cishet participants. Sexual attitudes were a significant moderator of the relationship between social dominance  and CNM acceptance for cishet participants, but not the relationship between social conservatism and CNM acceptance for either group. Implications for allyship, treatment and advocacy for CNM populations are discussed.