Menses and Positive Partner Interactions Increase Mate Guarding Behaviors in Established Romantic Couples

Abstract

Mate Guarding (Alberts et al., 1996), behaviors intended to decrease a romantic partner’s sexual access to potential extradyadic partners (e.g., touching partner around others, not attending gatherings), are thought to change throughout the menstrual cycle. Rooted in theories suggesting ovulating women’s sexual interest/behaviors increase during times of fertility, couples increase their mate guarding behaviors to limit reproductive costs (Gangestad et al., 2006). Yet, much of the research fails to examine mate guarding behaviors and fertility in established, committed couples. Using an ecological momentary assessment, romantically committed, heterosexual couples (n = 42 pairs) completed daily surveys tracking relationship dynamics for one menstrual cycle (e.g., 28 days; all naturally cycling). Dependent t-tests showed mate guarding behaviors increased during menses compared to ovulation (women, t = 4.5, p <.001; men, t = 3.5, p<.001), but positive couple interactions were unchanged. We tested actor-partner effects between positive daily partner interactions and mate guarding during menses and ovulation. Positive actor effects were found for both (menses women ß = 3.276, p <.001, men ß = 3.049, p =.002; ovulation women ß = 1.637, p =.041, men ß = 3.089, p =.011); whereas partner effects were only observed for men during ovulation (ß = 2.806, p =.006). Results demonstrate evolutionary psychological theories suggesting mate guarding increases during ovulation may not be predictive in established couples. For committed couples, times when female partners are unlikely to conceive are opportunities when couples demonstrate their fidelity.