Men who engage in swinging have higher self-esteem, but women who engage in swinging have self-esteem comparable to others

Swinging high or low? Measuring self-esteem in swingers. Amanda S. Ruzansky, Marissa A. Harrison. The Social Science Journal, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2018.10.006

Highlights
•    We quantitatively measured the self-esteem of swingers.
•    Our sample consisted of 41 participants (19 men and 22 women) identifying as swingers and attending a swinging event.
•    Our participants largely matched the demographics reported in other studies of swingers.
•    We found that female swingers had self-esteem comparable to a general sample.

Abstract: This study sought to examine the self-esteem of individuals involved in a consensually non-monogamous relationship, the swinging lifestyle. Utilizing the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the self-esteem of swingers was quantified and compared to a general sample. The results reveal that swingers have higher self-esteem. However, gender differences emerged in post hoc analyses whereby men who engage in swinging have higher self-esteem, but women who engage in swinging have self-esteem comparable to others. Results are discussed in terms of evolutionary and clinical importance. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.