A Comparative Analysis of Heterosexual and Homosexual Attitudes and Apprehensions Toward Consensual Non-Monogamy of College  Students at the University of Mindanao Digos College

Princes Kathleen S. Tabobo; Jhimel Jane Zamora; Merdred Gesim

doi:10.55227/ijhess.v6i2.2551

Authors

Princes Kathleen S. Tabobo BS Psychology / Department of Arts and Sciences, University of Mindanao Digos College
Jhimel Jane Zamora BS Psychology / Department of Arts and Sciences, University of Mindanao Digos College
Merdred Gesim BS Psychology / Department of Arts and Sciences, University of Mindanao Digos College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v6i2.2551

Abstract

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM), is a relationship structure in which all partners mutually agree to consent each other to have multiple romantic and/or sexual relationships. This topic has received increasing scholarly attention however, empirical evidence from Southeast Asian contexts remains limited. This study compaared the differences in apprehension and attitudes toward CNM between heterosexual and homosexual college students at the University of Mindanao Digos College. A quantitative comparative research design was employed involving 344 participants, equally divided between heterosexual (n = 172) and homosexual (n = 172) students. Data were collected using the CNM Apprehension Scale and CNM Attitude Scale. Due to non-normal data distribution, group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results indicated that participants generally exhibited high levels of apprehension and neutral attitudes toward CNM. A significant difference was observed in apprehension scores, with homosexual students reporting higher apprehension than their heterosexual counterparts (Z = -3.24, p = .001, r = .24), although the effect size was small. Conversely, no statistically significant difference in attitudes toward CNM between the two groups (Z = -0.47, p = .63). These findings suggest that while sexual orientation may be associated with how worried the students are about the perceived challenges related to CNM, the level of acceptance does not change. The study adds new insights about the literature on the diversity of relationship in the tertiary education in the Philippines and underscores the importance of considering sociocultural factors in understanding perceptions of non-traditional relationship structures.

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