Polyfidelity and the Dynamics of Group Romantic Relationships PDF
Preview Polyfidelity and the Dynamics of Group Romantic Relationships
Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Polyfidelity and the Dynamics of Group Romantic Relationships Jeff R. Peterson Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of theCounseling Psychology Commons, and theSociology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected]. Walden University College of Counselor Education & Supervision This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Jeff Peterson has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Jason Patton, Committee Chairperson, Counselor Education and Supervision Faculty Dr. Joy Whitman, Committee Member, Counselor Education and Supervision Faculty Dr. Laura Haddock, University Reviewer, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Polyfidelity and the Dynamics of Group Romantic Relationships by Jeff Peterson MA, Walden University, 2012 BA, University of Iowa, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Counselor Education and Supervision: Counseling and Social Change Walden University December 2016 Abstract Monogamy is considered the romantic norm for establishing family and kinship. Alternative relationships such as polyfidelity, that is, a group romantic relationship, often face prejudice and social stigma resulting in a greater need for mental health counseling services compared to those who are not stigmatized. Yet counselors and counselor educators lack both understanding and cultural competency for serving this population. The purpose of this study was to better understand the dynamics of a polyfidelity relationship, as well as how a counselor might better serve the needs of individuals engaged in this type of relationship. In this study, 14 participants described what it was like to be in a polyfidelitous relationship. A combined theoretical framework—based on relational cultural theory, social constructionism, and queer theory was used to reveal the challenges, as well as the strengths, of such a relationship. It was discovered that there are an exponential number of relationship combinations when introducing an additional member into an existing 2-person relationship. As a result the relational component in counseling becomes compounded. For example, a 3-person relationship has 4 unique relationships, a 4-person relationship has 11 unique relationships, and a 5-person relationship has 26 unique relationship combinations. In addition, members of group relationships often use their group dynamics to check and balance one another, resolve conflict, and better express aspects of each partner’s personality. The implications for social change are multifold in both furthering mental health professional’s understanding of alternative families, as well as identifying the advantages and pitfalls of engaging in a polyfidelitous relationship. Polyfidelity and the Dynamics of Group Romantic Relationships by Jeff Peterson MA, Walden University, 2012 BA, University of Iowa, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Counselor Education and Supervision: Counseling and Social Change Walden University December 2016 Acknowledgements I would like to thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Jason Patton, for his ongoing support, encouragement, and collegial respect. I would also like to thank my committee member, Dr. Joy Whitman, for coming to bat last minute with a friendly smile, sound guidance, and helpful encouragement. In addition, I would like to thank two of my Walden faculty mentors who truly believed in me during my master’s program, Dr. Stacee Reicherzer and Dr. Matthew Buckley. Dr. Reicherzer provided me research opportunities, encouraged me to attain a Walden scholarship, and introduced me to Walden’s Ph.D. program in Social Change. Dr. Buckley instilled a deeper understanding of what it means to be a teacher and provided wisdom for becoming a better leader. His most memorable moment was when he modeled how to affect social change by advocating for LGBT civil rights in my local community. I would also like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Sheff for her guidance, networking, and leadership in researching stigmatized cultures. In addition, I would like to thank my colleague Mary Wolf, who provided me access to rare historic artifacts documenting the earlier days of polyfidelity and the Kerista commune. I would like to thank my former boss and Argosy University program chair, Dr. Justin Brogan, for his continual phone calls checking in on the progress of my dissertation. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Susan Chilton, for being there as a friend and mentor through thick and thin. To those that I have not listed, including my family, friends, and co-workers, please know that I am grateful for your assistance and support along the way. Table of Contents List of Tables.......................................................................................................................v List of Figures....................................................................................................................vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study....................................................................................1 Background of the Study...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement.........................................................................................................7 Purpose of the Study......................................................................................................8 Guiding Research Questions..........................................................................................8 Theoretical Framework..................................................................................................9 Conceptual Framework................................................................................................11 Nature of the Study......................................................................................................14 Definitions...................................................................................................................15 Assumptions.................................................................................................................24 Scope and Delimitations..............................................................................................25 Limitations...................................................................................................................26 Significance of the Study.............................................................................................27 Significance to Practice........................................................................................29 Significance to Theory..........................................................................................29 Significance to Social Change..............................................................................30 Summary and Transition..............................................................................................33 Chapter 2: Literature Review.............................................................................................35 Literature Search Strategy...........................................................................................36 i Theoretical Foundation................................................................................................38 Conceptual Framework................................................................................................48 Literature Review........................................................................................................56 The Significance of Studying NonMonogamies..........................................................77 Limitations in Terminology and Interpretive Frameworks..........................................78 Limitations in Current Research and Sampling Procedures........................................79 Summary and Conclusions..........................................................................................81 Chapter 3: Research Method..............................................................................................84 Research Design and Rationale...................................................................................85 Role of the Researcher.................................................................................................89 Methodology................................................................................................................90 Participant Eligibility Criteria...............................................................................91 Sample Size and Saturation Criteria.....................................................................91 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection..........................92 Data Analysis Plan..............................................................................................100 Issues of Trustworthiness...........................................................................................102 Credibility...........................................................................................................102 Dependability......................................................................................................102 Confirmability.....................................................................................................104 Ethical Procedures..............................................................................................105 Summary....................................................................................................................109 Chapter 4: Results............................................................................................................111 ii Data Collection..........................................................................................................112 Demographics............................................................................................................114 Data Collection..........................................................................................................123 Data Analysis.............................................................................................................123 Evidence of Trustworthiness.....................................................................................124 Credibility...........................................................................................................124 Dependability......................................................................................................124 Confirmability.....................................................................................................125 Study Results.............................................................................................................125 Summary....................................................................................................................230 Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations..........................................232 Interpretation of Findings..........................................................................................232 Limitations of the Study............................................................................................268 Recommendations......................................................................................................272 Implications for Social Change..................................................................................275 Conclusions................................................................................................................278 References........................................................................................................................280 Appendix A: Marketing and Outreach Letter..................................................................315 Appendix B: Letter to Participant....................................................................................316 Appendix C: Interview Protocols....................................................................................317 Appendix D: Voluntary Demographic Questionnaire.....................................................320 Appendix E: Exit and Debriefing Protocol......................................................................321 iii Appendix F: Initial Email Outreach to Potential Participant...........................................322 Appendix G: Phone Script to Potential Participant.........................................................323 Appendix H: Identity Coding Procedure and Master List...............................................325 Appendix I: Screening Interview Questions....................................................................326 Appendix J: Flier for Potential Candidates......................................................................328 iv
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