Diversity in Partner Number Sexuality via Sexual Configurations Theory

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Sexuality Studies

Background:

• Partner number sexuality (P#S) describes the number of sexual partners individuals have or desire.
• Diverse P#S often face stigma, and existing theories may not fully encompass these variations.
• Sexual Configurations Theory (SCT) provides a framework for visually modeling diverse sexualities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how SCT can illuminate understandings of P#S.
• To assess the utility of SCT for individuals with minoritized P#S.
• To understand how individuals with minoritized P#S engage with and utilize SCT.

Main Methods:

• Online interviews were conducted with 26 participants.
• Participants completed two SCT diagrams and provided feedback on their experience.
• Template analysis was used for transcripts, generating "SCT heatmaps" from aggregated diagrams.

Main Results:

• Eleven major themes emerged, including varied concepts of eroticism, romantic/platonic relationships, and hermeneutical injustice.
• SCT diagrams revealed branchedness in P#S, connecting eroticism with nurturance and status/identity with orientation.
• Participants actively used both SCT diagrams, indicating their utility in representing complex P#S.

Conclusions:

• The lived experiences of partnering, particularly for those with minoritized P#S, extend beyond conventional categories.
• SCT proves to be an effective tool for accurately reflecting and discussing the diversity of P#S.
• SCT can facilitate a more nuanced understanding and conversation around varied sexual configurations.