Polyfidelity Experiences, Loyalty Issues, and Triangulation Among Gay-male Couples

Abstract

<p>本研究採用質性研究的敘說分析方法，透過伴侶觀點以及結構家族治療的視框，探討男同志在多重伴侶關係中之內涵。本研究以半結構式方法訪談一組男同志伴侶共三人，其多重伴侶關係經驗為六年。研究者依據個別及共同訪談的資料，呈現男同志在多重伴侶關係中個人的知覺與經驗，並整合三方資料編織出不同伴侶間的互動模式；主要研究結果發現如下：（1）本組男同志多重伴侶關係之內涵為「三人承諾彼此為伴侶，且情感與性關係是封閉在三人之間」，與先前西方學者進一步分類多重伴侶關係中的「複數忠誠」關係較為相似；（2）本組受訪男同志伴侶以「協商進入三人關係」來面對「精神出軌」事件，與過往異性戀研究中伴侶面對出軌事件的態度、方法較為不同；（3）本研究認為本組男同志複數忠誠關係的開展、維持，以及最後關係結束都與三角關係、忠誠議題有關；（4）本組男同志伴侶的界線始於模糊最後疏離，進而造成伴侶們情緒起伏、影響伴侶面對挑戰的能力。最後，根據以上研究結果提出對伴侶諮商實務工作的建議，以供後續相關人員作為參考。</p> <p> </p><p>Polyamorous relationships and other consensual non-monogamous relationships (CNM) have received more attention and interest from both scholars and popular communities in Western countries for more than 20 years. Contrarily, these have been underdiscussed in Taiwan. CNM relationships were mostly invisible in Taiwan; if mentioned, they were often solely connected to negative labels and stigmas. Only a handful of studies in Taiwan mention CNM relationships; fewer targeted polyamorous relationships and CNM relationships as the topic of their research and study. </p> <p>According to previous empirical studies in the U.S., polyamory and other CNM relationships are more common in gay-male communities. Although no empirical study has been conducted in Taiwan to estimate the population of CNM practitioners, comparatively more studies targeting gay-male relationships in Taiwan found some types of CNM relationships in their research. It is theorized that because gay-male individuals find themselves not fitting the heterosexual relationship norm, they have the opportunity to build their relationships from scratch. Because homosexual individuals have more opportunities to process and ponder what constitutes a relationship, it is easier for them to step out of monogamous norms and build their relationships differently. Considering the difficulty of recruiting polyamorous couples in Taiwan, the present study targeted gay-male couples as the participants of this study.</p> <p>Aiming to understand how gay couples build and sustain polyamorous relationships and their living experiences, the research question of this study was: What are the interaction patterns and dynamics among gaymale couples’ polyamorous relationships? </p> <p>Polyamorous relationships often involve more than two people, and the dynamics and interactions could be complicated and intricate. To better understand the dynamics of the relationships and interactions between couples, the present study utilized the Structural Family Therapy framework as a theoretical lens. </p> <p>To uncover the mystery of this often-neglected and stigmatized relationship and provide luminance and clarity to Taiwanese scholar and popular community, this qualitative research was conducted through narrative approach aiming to analyze the interaction patterns and relationship dynamics of polyamorous relationships among gay couples. A polyamorous couple, consisting of three participants aged 32-35 years, were recruited. Their polyamorous relationship lasted for six years but ended during the study. The present study used semi-structured interviews to collect data; joint interviews were conducted with couple participants, and individual interviews were followed up to collect individual views from each participant. However, only two of the three participants were interviewed individually because of their breakup.</p> <p>From the interviews conducted, the following conclusions were drawn. (1) The present gay-male participants agreed not to seek romantic or sexual connections outside of their established relationship structure. Their polyamorous relationships became "closed" and all members engaged in "polyfidelity" relationship. (2) Unlike most heterosexual couples in previous studies, the present gay-male couple negotiated and stepped into a polyamorous relationship to deal with their cheating issues. (3) The researchers believe the reason this polyfidelity relationship started and ended ,according to a systemic perspective and structural family therapy lens, was related to triangulation and loyalty issues. The ways in which triangulation and loyalty issues were maintained and ended the relationships were discussed. (4) The boundaries between these gay-male participants were either diffused or rigid and their relationships were both enmeshed and disengaged. Researchers believe that these boundary issues may raise negative emotions, such as jealousy between couples, and compromise couples’ ability to deal with couple-hood challenges. </p> <p>Finally, resources and suggestions are presented for mental health, marriage, and family professionals.</p> <p> </p>