Sex beyond the binary: an exploratory analysis of non-binary sexuality and partnerships
Sex beyond the binary: an exploratory analysis of non-binary sexuality and partnerships
Non-binary identities are often overlooked in quantitative sex research. This explorative study focused on the sexuality and partnerships of non-binary people. The analysis addressed three primary topics: the characteristics of non-binary people’s sexual experiences, demographic factors linked to sexual well-being and relationship satisfaction, and differences between non-binary and binary trans/cisgender individuals. Eight hundred and twenty-two participants (462 non-binary, 129 binary trans and 231 cisgender individuals) took part. 60% of non-binary individuals identified as autistic and 40% reported chronic health conditions or physical disabilities. Regression analyses were performed with sexual wellbeing, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction as dependent variables and demographics, transition status and minoritised identities as independent variables. Among the non-binary subsample, being autistic, being asexual, being in a relationship and transition status were associated with higher sexual well-being, while sexual fluidity and living with chronic health conditions were linked to lower sexual well-being. Sexual fluidity was associated with lower sexual and relationship satisfaction. Non-binary and binary trans individuals reported lower sexual satisfaction and wellbeing than cisgender individuals. Results highlight the importance of examining overlapping minoritised identities in non-binary populations and call for further investigation into the connections between sexual fluidity, autism, asexuality, and sexual outcomes to improve understanding of non-binary people’s sexual experiences.
Mastrantonio, Fraedan
0977d7e4-51a1-4475-ba41-c9bda5d4415a
Griffiths, Daniel A.
6094a84b-7e8b-401b-a620-82b27582635d
Kovshoff, Hanna
82c321ee-d151-40c5-8dde-281af59f2142
Armstrong, Heather L.
3dc9c223-1a61-47ad-ab0b-50d06cddf4f2
Mastrantonio, Fraedan
0977d7e4-51a1-4475-ba41-c9bda5d4415a
Griffiths, Daniel A.
6094a84b-7e8b-401b-a620-82b27582635d
Kovshoff, Hanna
82c321ee-d151-40c5-8dde-281af59f2142
Armstrong, Heather L.
3dc9c223-1a61-47ad-ab0b-50d06cddf4f2
Mastrantonio, Fraedan, Griffiths, Daniel A., Kovshoff, Hanna and Armstrong, Heather L.
(2025)
Sex beyond the binary: an exploratory analysis of non-binary sexuality and partnerships.
Journal of Sex Research.
(doi:10.1080/00224499.2025.2507151).
Abstract
Non-binary identities are often overlooked in quantitative sex research. This explorative study focused on the sexuality and partnerships of non-binary people. The analysis addressed three primary topics: the characteristics of non-binary people’s sexual experiences, demographic factors linked to sexual well-being and relationship satisfaction, and differences between non-binary and binary trans/cisgender individuals. Eight hundred and twenty-two participants (462 non-binary, 129 binary trans and 231 cisgender individuals) took part. 60% of non-binary individuals identified as autistic and 40% reported chronic health conditions or physical disabilities. Regression analyses were performed with sexual wellbeing, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction as dependent variables and demographics, transition status and minoritised identities as independent variables. Among the non-binary subsample, being autistic, being asexual, being in a relationship and transition status were associated with higher sexual well-being, while sexual fluidity and living with chronic health conditions were linked to lower sexual well-being. Sexual fluidity was associated with lower sexual and relationship satisfaction. Non-binary and binary trans individuals reported lower sexual satisfaction and wellbeing than cisgender individuals. Results highlight the importance of examining overlapping minoritised identities in non-binary populations and call for further investigation into the connections between sexual fluidity, autism, asexuality, and sexual outcomes to improve understanding of non-binary people’s sexual experiences.
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Sex beyond the binary_final accepted manuscript
- Accepted Manuscript
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Sex Beyond the Binary An Exploratory Analysis of Non-Binary Sexuality and Partnerships
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Accepted/In Press date: 9 May 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 30 May 2025
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Local EPrints ID: 502658
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/502658
ISSN: 0022-4499
PURE UUID: 563b7b1a-95a7-46be-887a-aae43327e707
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Date deposited: 03 Jul 2025 16:46
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:32
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Author:
Fraedan Mastrantonio
Author:
Daniel A. Griffiths
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