This study aimed to analyze laypeople’s definitions of polyamory and compare definitions presented by people who are not willing to engage in consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and those who are or are willing to be in a CNM relationship. This exploratory qualitative study used data collected from a convenience sample through a web survey, where people answered the question “What does polyamory mean?” We conducted thematic analysis to examine patterns in meaning and used demographic data to compare themes among groups. The final sample comprised 463 participants aged 18–66 years (M = 32.19, SD = 10.02), mostly heterosexual (60%). Of the total sample, 54% were in a monogamous relationship, followed by 21% not in a relationship, and 13% in a non-monogamous relationship. Analysis showed that people define polyamory mostly as a set of behaviors in a relationship, followed by the potential of multiple relationships or feelings for multiple people. Definitions also include emotional, sexual, and ethical aspects. People in CNM relationships are more likely to define polyamory as constituting a potential form of relating, focus more on interpersonal feelings and ethics, and include consent in their definitions than those unwilling to engage in CNM. People in CNM relationships also focus particularly on the non-central role of sex within these relationships, which might challenge assumptions about sexuality in these relationships in clinical and research settings.

Consensual Non-Monogamies (CNMs) have been receiving the attention of academics, however attitudes towards polyamory (ATP) are still a new field of research. We aim at studying the reliability and validity of the ATP scale in a Portuguese sample. The present analysis utilized cross-sectional data from 609 volunteers that completed the online survey with a socio-demographic questionnaire; the ATP scale; the Modern Heterosexism subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; and the Willingness to Engage in Non-Monogamy Scale. After randomly splitting the sample (1:1) for cross-validation purposes, Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted using Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) and Maximum Likelihood Estimation, respectively. Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations were used to determine the internal consistency of the scale. Feasibility and acceptability were examined in terms of missing values, floor and ceiling effects. The ATP proved to be reliable (Cronbach’s alpha > .80). In the current study, the final structure of the scale, proved through CFA, included 6 items aggregated in a single factor. This final 6-item measure proved to have convergent, divergent and concurrent criterion validity. Implications for research in polyamory and CNMs are discussed.

Recently, we have seen relatively unknown platforms, like OnlyFans, rise to popularity among producers and consumers of sexual(ised) digital content. This seems to be especially so in the case of young adults who were affected by a sudden disappearance of entry-level jobs in hospitality, retail and associated functions, or diminished university experiences compared to expectations, due to the COVID-19 crisis. Although there is an increasing amount written on young people, sexuality and the media, research on both young adults and their experiences with sexuality online and online sex workers is still lacking, and more so in the case of the use of patronage platforms to sell sexual(ised) content. Focusing on younger women producers, this chapter illustrates their challenges within patriarchal societies and the way in which sex work is heavily gendered. By relying on Thematic Analysis of 20 interviews of Italian emerging adults, our analysis focuses on the self-definition of our participants as sex workers. It examines how OnlyFans creators articulate their professional self through the production of contents, marketing practices and customer relations to understand if and how it is possible to speak about deplatformed sex, and to understand that negotiating the identity of ‘sex worker’ is less about the specific material conditions of those doing content production, and more about the hallmarks of what a ‘job’ is.