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What Impact Does Having a Swinging Lifestyle Have on Marital Satisfaction?

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What Impact Does Having a Swinging Lifestyle Have on Marital Satisfaction? WHAT IMPACT DOES HAVING A SWINGING LIFESTYLE HAVE ON MARITAL SATISFACTION? Doctoral Project Presented to the Faculty School of Behavioral Sciences California Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY by Tracy Riley July 25, 2018 SWINGING LIFESTYLE IMPACT ON MARRIAGE 2 © 2018 Tracy Riley SWINGING LIFESTYLE IMPACT ON MARRIAGE 3 SWINGING LIFESTYLE IMPACT ON MARRIAGE 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To my biggest haters, I cannot imagine how you lived your lives with such pessimism, however, I recognize there is no way I could have accomplished this without being told for years that I would never amount to anything and that I would always be a failure at anything I attempted. So, to my parents, who died years ago, after years of abuse, misery, and their own self-loathing, I did this in spite of your negativity. I would also like to acknowledge and give credit to all individuals who have contributed to this journey in a much more positive way. Special thanks to my committee chair, Dr. Linda Salvucci, and my other committee members for helping to bring this doctoral project to completion, as they aided significantly to my success. The support and guidance I have received from my mentors, advisors and other California Southern University staff, has been immense and is greatly appreciated. Thank you. I also wish to give thanks and appreciation to my husband, Derrick and to my children, Brittany, Brooke, and Wesley, who inspire me to be a better parent than I ever had. To the other learners in the program, my writing partners, fellow students, support, inspiration, and now my friends, thank you for keeping me on track throughout this process. Special thanks to the participants of the study. I could not have done it without the helpful hands extended towards me. SWINGING LIFESTYLE IMPACT ON MARRIAGE 5 ABSTRACT Swinging, also referred to as partner swapping, is a consensually non-monogamous behavior in which both individuals of a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with other people as a leisure or social activity (Cohen, 2016). Swinging is a form of an open relationship; emotional commitment without sexual monogamy. Individuals choose the lifestyle for a variety of reasons, which include increased quality, quantity and frequency of sex (Vailliancourt, 2014). Others reasons include adding sexual variety, strengthening their relationship, and/or getting out of a marital rut. In an attempt to determine the impact a swinging lifestyle as on a committed relationship, this study examined why individual choose the swinging lifestyle, their level of marital satisfaction, and how they distinguish between infidelity and swinging. A qualitative study was applied and 56 participants completed a questionnaire consisting of 60 questions. The data was gathered using an online format, to ensure anonymity and privacy. The findings support that individuals who engage in the swinger lifestyle are in committed relationships, and remain loyal to their primary partner. Swingers report a high level of relationship quality and entered into the swinging lifestyle by choice. Swingers have conservative political and religious views, yet have open personal and sexual beliefs. Findings also showed swingers are easily able to define and distinguish the difference between infidelity and the lifestyle. Recommendations are made for professionals in mental health to learn more about consensual non-monogamous relationships so as to not apply the same expectations and standards that would apply to those in a monogamous relationship. SWINGING LIFESTYLE IMPACT ON MARRIAGE 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .........................................................................................................4 ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................5 LIST OF TABLES .....................................................................................................................8 CHAPTER ONE OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY.....................................................................9 Background of the Problem .........................................................................................11 Statement of the Problem.............................................................................................14 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................15 Theoretical Framework................................................................................................18 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................19 Limitations and Delimitations......................................................................................20 Definitions and Key Terms ..........................................................................................21 Organization.................................................................................................................25 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW ...........................................................................26 Marital Infidelity ..........................................................................................................26 Definition of Marital Infidelity.....................................................................................27 Causes of Marital Infidelity .........................................................................................29 Consequences of Marital Infidelity..............................................................................31 Rates of Marital Infidelity............................................................................................32 Sexual Morality History...............................................................................................34 Religion........................................................................................................................34 Social/Moral Code .......................................................................................................36 Prostitution...................................................................................................................37 Sex Addiction...............................................................................................................38 Masturbation ................................................................................................................39 Sex, Love, and Monogamy ..........................................................................................40 Concepts and Background of Swinging.......................................................................44 Overview......................................................................................................................45 Characteristics of Swingers..........................................................................................47 Definition of Swinging.................................................................................................48 Incidence of Swinging .................................................................................................49 Rationale of Swinging..................................................................................................50 Positive Outcomes of Swinging...................................................................................51 Negative Outcomes of Swinging .................................................................................52 Scenes and Arenas, Public Location ............................................................................53 Scenes and Arenas, Private Location...........................................................................54 Guidelines for Swinging ..............................................................................................55 Sexual Health Issues ....................................................................................................58 Theoretical Framework................................................................................................59 Summary......................................................................................................................61 CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY .................................................................................63 Research Method .........................................................................................................63 Participants...................................................................................................................64 Instrumentation ............................................................................................................67 Data Collection ............................................................................................................68 SWINGING LIFESTYLE IMPACT ON MARRIAGE 7 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................70 CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS..................................................................................................73 Participants...................................................................................................................75 Challenges in Recruitment...........................................................................................77 Participant Demographics............................................................................................78
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