Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 12, January 23, 2009

The Swinging Paradigm: An Evaluation of the Marital and Sexual Satisfaction of Swingers

Appendix A: TEMPLATE FOR WEBMASTERS

Dear Webmaster:

As part of my doctoral degree program at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, I am conducting my dissertation research on the Swinging Lifestyle. To facilitate recruitment of potential participants for an online survey, I am asking you to post a link on your site to a survey designed to collect data for this study. Results from this study will be published in my dissertation, in a future journal article, or may be used in a professional presentation. However, results will be reported in the aggregate; no personally identifiable information about participants will be reported.

Research on the Swinging Community has been sparse to say the least—the last study was published in 2000. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the level of marital and sexual satisfaction of swingers, to determine their attitudes towards their swinging activities, and to identify the current demographic characteristics of swingers.

I am interested in evaluating the attitudes of both MEN and WOMEN swingers towards their sexual swinging activities. Moreover, the study proposes to evaluate if there are gender differences in attitudes and behaviors. Criteria for participation in the survey are that participants must be: (1) over the age of 18, and (2) currently married or living together.

Your site would be required to publish only the link to the survey with a basic explanation of the purpose of the survey, which I have provided (see attached). Preferably, the link will be viewable only to the paying members of your site. Alternatively, you could send a bulk message to all members on the site inviting them to participate in the survey. Surveys such as this one have been conducted by other researchers through NASCA, which published the link to the survey(s) on the Lifestyles Organization web site.

Names of participants or their membership status are not needed. Their identity will be confidential. The survey collecting software will not record the ISP of your site, or of participants’ originating computers. I understand and appreciate that the identities of your membership must be protected. Participation in this study will not compromise or reveal the identity of the participants. I would never ask you to put anyone at risk of identification. Any member of the site willing to participate can do so by clicking on the following link to the survey.

I would welcome the participation of your site on this project. This type of research is needed to validate the role of swinging in today’s society. Please, allow only registered (paying) members of the site to access the link. Here is the link:

https://

Thank you so much for your cooperation. If you have questions, please fell free to address them to me at this e-mail address. If you are interested in publishing the results of this study on your web site, please contact the researcher at (email address provided).

Regards

E. Fernandes

Appendix B: TEMPLATE FOR PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS

An online, academic, research study about various aspects of swinging is currently under way. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the level of marital and sexual satisfaction of swingers, to determine their attitudes towards their swinging activities, and to identify the current demographic characteristics of swingers. I am conducting this research in partial fulfillment of my doctoral degree program at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

You are invited to participate in an online survey that will require about 20 minutes of your time. Results from the survey will be published in my dissertation, in future journal articles, and may be used in future professional presentations no personally identifying information about individual participants will be reported.

I am interested in evaluating the attitudes of both MALE and FEMALE swingers towards their sexual swinging activities and to explore possible gender differences in attitudes and/or behaviors. Criteria for participation are that participants must be: (1) over the age of 21, and (2) currently married and/or living with someone in a committed relationship. If you meet these criteria, please take a few minutes to respond to this survey.

Your participation is voluntary. You may exit the survey at any time, and you may decline to answer any question.

Please take a few moments to consider participating in the survey and then please click the link below. Although you may not benefit directly from taking this survey, your responses will be valuable contributions to my research study. Results of the study may be published on the web site where you accessed the survey later. Contact your web master regarding this matter.

Thank you,

E. Fernandes

APPENDIX C: INDEX OF MARITAL SATISFACTION SCALE

Index of Marital Satisfaction

Domain: Relationship/Marital Satisfaction

Measure: Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS; Hudson, 1997)

This questionnaire is designed to measure the degree of satisfaction you have with your present marriage. It is not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers. Answer each item as carefully and accurately as you can by placing a number beside each one as follows:

1 = None of the time

2 = Very rarely

3 = A little of the time

4 = Some of the time

5 = A good part of the time

6 = Most of the time

7 = All of the time

1._____ My partner is affectionate enough.

2._____ My partner treats me badly.

3._____ My partner really cares for me.

4._____ I feel that I would not choose the same partner if I had it to do over again.

5._____ I feel that I can trust my partner.

6._____ I feel that our relationship is breaking up.

7._____ My partner really doesn’t understand me.

8._____ I feel that our relationship is a good one.

9._____ Ours is a very happy relationship.

10.____ Our life together is dull.

11.____ We have a lot of fun together.

12.____ My partner does not confide in me.

13.____ Ours is a very close relationship.

14.____ I feel that I cannot rely on my partner.

15.____ I feel that we do not have enough interests in common.

16.____ We manage arguments and disagreements very well.

17.____ We do a good job of managing our finances.

18.____ I feel that I should never have married my partner.

19.____ My partner and I get along very well together.

20.____ Our relationship is very stable.

21.____ My partner is a real comfort to me.

22.____ I feel that I no longer care for my partner.

23.____ I feel that the future looks bright for our relationship.

24.____ I feel that our relationship is empty.

25.____ I feel there is no excitement in our relationship.

The IMS is scored by first reversing-scoring negative items ( 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 18, 22, 24, and 25), summing these and the remaining scores, subtracting the number of completed items, multiplying this figure by 100, and dividing by the number of items completed times 6. This will produced a range of scores from 0 to 100 with lower scores indicating greater magnitude or severity of marital problems. Scores above 70 are considered indicative of satisfaction with the relationship.

Source: Corcoran, K., & Fischer, J. (2000). Measures for clinical practice: A sourcebook (Vol. 1) . New York, NY: The Free Press.

APPENDIX D: SEXUAL SATISFACTION SCALE

Sexual Satisfaction Scale

The following questions evaluate your degree of sexual satisfaction in your present marriage/relationship. Please, answer the questions as carefully and accurately as you can using the following scale.

1= strongly disagree

2= disagree

3= undecided

4 = agree

5 = strongly agree

1. I am satisfied with my spouse as a sexual partner

2. After sex I feel relaxed and fulfilled

3. I have satisfying orgasms

4. I feel that foreplay with my partner is very arousing

5. I have very good communication with my spouse about sex

6. I am satisfied with the variety of sexual positions and activities in which my spouse and I participate

7. I am pleased with the frequency with which my spouse and I engage in sexual activity

8. My spouse makes me feel sexually desirable

9. I am sexually attracted to my spouse

10. My spouse makes it clear that I provide him/her with a great deal of sexual satisfaction

Responses are recoded so that higher scores reflected higher sexual satisfaction. The possible overall score range was 10-50. The overall score was converted to an average item score (possible range 1-5), with 5 indicating high sexual satisfaction.

(Derogatis & Melisaratos, 1979; Young, Denny, Luquis, & Young, 1998)

Appendix E: Research Participation Consent Form

Union Institute and University

Consent by subject for electronic participation in a research project

Title: "The Swinging Paradigm: An evaluation of the Marital and Sexual Satisfaction of Swingers ”

Principal Investigator:

Edward Fernandes, Doctoral Candidate, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Psychology, Union Institute & University

This survey proposes to gather information from individuals that are actively participating in the swinging lifestyle.

For the purposes of this study, swingers are individuals that are married or in a committed, steady relationship where either one, or both partners, engages in consensual sexual activities with other individuals with the approval of the other spouse or partner.

If you meet the above specifications, we would like to ask you to participate in this research study. Your participation is entirely voluntary and you may refuse to participate, or may decide to discontinue participation, once you began. Should you withdraw from the study or should you refuse to participate at any time, your decision will involve no penalty or loss of benefits from the site where you logged in to the study.

You are asked to read the consent form carefully and decide whether to participate in this study or log off before you do so. You may print a copy of the consent form to keep for your records.

The purpose of the present research project is to determine the demographics of the “swinging” population. Some of the following topics will be explored: social demographics, marital satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. Individual participants must be eighteen years or older in order to participate.

The procedure begins with the presentation of this consent form and clicking on the “I agree” icon at the bottom of the screen.

Next, the participants will be asked to complete a 59 item survey assessing past, present and future sexual behaviors, current sexual attitudes, and other demographic variables.

The entire procedure is expected to take about 15-20 minutes. While there are no physical risks associated with the participation in this project, you may experience some discomfort in reviewing your personal feelings, opinions, and attitudes about sex and sexual behaviors. If you experience any adverse reaction and your thoughts continue to disturb you, you may want to talk with a professional counselor about your feelings.

You will receive no direct benefit from your participation in this study, but your participation will help the investigator understand the social and psychosexual processes involved in the context of the “swinging population”.

Every effort will be made to maintain the anonymity of the data. You will not be asked for your name or any other identifiable markers. The electronic traces of your ISP server are not available to the researcher. Your participation will not be traceable to the web site where the study was available to you.

The data collected from this project will be used for research purposes only. Your participation and the name of the site where you accessed the survey will not be disclosed when presenting the results of this study. The investigators reserve the right to withdraw your responses at any time and erase the data associated with your responses. Partial response surveys will not be included in the results.

If you have additional queries or concerns, you may contact the primary investigator at (e-mail address will be supplied).

Clicking the button below acknowledges your voluntary participation in this research project. Such participation does not release the investigator, institution, or sponsor from their professional and ethical responsibilities.

Any questions regarding the rights of the participant may be addressed to the Union Institute & University, Institutional Review Board (phone number and address).

I have read the information provided above and I voluntary agree to participate in this study (button) click here to proceed to the survey

APPENDIX F: RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

The Swinging Paradigm: An evaluation of the Marital and Sexual Satisfaction of Swingers

This survey is intended for individuals that consider themselves swingers. A swinger is defined as an individual that is part of a married couple or a couple in a committed emotional relationship where both partners participate in the swinging experience. If your situation meets these requirements we ask you to answer the following questions by choosing the answers that best represents your experience, or is most like you. If the question allows for multiple answers pick all that apply to your experience or are most like you.

Section 1: Demographic Variables

1. Sex

A) Male

B) Female

2. Sexual Orientation

A) Heterosexual

B) Homosexual

C) Bisexual

3. Age group

A) Under 25

B) 26 – 35

C) 36 – 45

D) 46 -55

E) 56 – 65

F) 66 and over

4. Ethnic/Racial background

A) White

B) Black

C) Latino

D) Asian

E) Native American

F) Other__________

5. Present personal relationship status

A) Married

B) Single

C) Cohabiting

D) Widowed

E) Divorced

F) Other___________

6. How long in present relationship/marriage?

A) Less than 1 year

B) 1 – 3 years

C) 4 – 7 years

D) 8 – 10 years

E) 11 – 15 years

F) 16 – 20 years

G) Over 20 years

7. This is my…

A) 1 st marriage

B) 2nd marriage

C) 3 rd marriage

D) Not married

E) Other__________

8. Highest level of education

A) Some Schooling

B) High School Graduate (or equivalent)

C) Associate Degree

D) Bachelors Degree

E) Masters Degree

F) Doctoral Degree

G) Other__________

9. Yearly Household Income (U.S. dollars estimate)

A) Under 20,000

B) 20,000 – 40,000

C) 40,000 – 70,000

D) 70,000 – 100,000

E) 100,000 – 200,000

F) Over 200,000

10. My occupation can be best described as:

A) Blue collar work (factory/industry work)

B) White collar work (office/clerical, management)

C) Professional (doctors, lawyers, professors, etc.)

D) Education (teaching, administration, and other support staff)

E) Business (managerial)

F) Public safety/protection (police/firefighter)

G) Military

H) Retail (sales)

I) Technical (technology)

J) Information systems (computing)

K) Health Care (nurses or other tech/support staff)

L) Other__________

11. The size of the community where I live can be described as:

• Less than 50,000
• 50,000 to 100,00 people
• 100,000 to 500,000 people
• 500,00 to 1 million
• Over 1 million

12. My community can be best described as:

• Urban
• Suburban
• Rural

13. I live in:

• North East of the United States
• South East of the United States
• North West of the United States
• South West of the United States
• Mid West of the United States
• California
• Eastern Canada
• Western Canada
• Mexico
• Caribbean
• Europe
• Other

14. My politics are best described as:

• Social conservative
• Social liberal
• Democrat
• Republican
• Libertarian
• Socialist
• Moderate
• Communist
• I am not interested in politics

15. When it comes to religion I would describe myself as:

A) Very religious

B) Moderately religious

C) Somewhat religious

D) Not religious at all

E) Agnostic

F) Atheist

G) Other

16. Who first introduced the idea of swinging into your relationship?

A) Myself

B) My partner

C) A friend

D) Other

E) I do not swing

17. How long have you and your partner been engaging in swinging activities?

A) Less than a year

B) 1 -3 years

C) 4 -7 years

D) 8 – 12 years

E) Over 12 years

F) I swing alone

G) I do not swing

18. How often do you and your partner frequent swing clubs?

A) Once a year

B) 2 – 3 times a year

C) 4-5 times a year

D) 6 – 8 times a year

E) Monthly

F) Weekly

G) We do NOT frequent swingers’ clubs

19. How do you (and your partner) find other swingers to interact with sexually?

(Choose all that apply)

A) Internet swinger sites

B) Swing social clubs

C) Swing newspapers or magazines

D) Private parties

E) Other swingers

F) Other

20. What is the main reason why you and your partner engage in swinging sexual activities?

A) Pure sexual pleasure and variety

B) To meet other people socially

C) Personal fantasy

D) Looking for emotional connection

E) My partner wants me to

F) Other___________________

21. Which of the following best describes your swinging sexual experience?

A) I enjoy swinging

B) I do NOT enjoy swinging

C) Swinging is always OK

D) Swinging is fun but only occasionally

E) Other_______________

22. Choose the best response that best reflects your experience during swinging sexual activities: “During my swinging sexual interactions…

• I often reach orgasm
• I seldom reach orgasm
• I never reach orgasm

23. When we swing we usually… (Choose all that apply)

A) Exchange partners always

B) Exchange partners sometimes

C) Mostly group sex activities

D) Never exchange partners

E) We “soft swing” only

F) Engage in woman on woman sex only

G) MFM activity

H) FFM activity

24. My partner and I engage in swinging activities:

• Once a year
• 2-4 times a year
• Once a month
• More than once a month
• At least once a week
• Less than once a year
• Have only done it once

Section 2: Marital Satisfaction (IMS)

The following questions are designed to determine your level of satisfaction in your present marriage/relationship. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Please, answer the following questions as carefully and accurately as you can using to the following scale

1 = None of the time

2 = Very rarely

3 = A little of the time

4 = Some of the time

5 = A good part of the time

6 = Most of the time

7 = All of the time

25. My partner is affectionate enough

26. My partner treats me badly

27. My partner really cares for me

28. I feel that I would not choose the same person as a partner if I had to do it over again

29. I feel that I can trust my partner

30. I feel that our relationship is breaking up

31. My partner really doesn’t understand me

32. I feel that our relationship is a very good one

33. Ours is a very happy relationship

34. Our life together is dull

35. We have a lot of fun together

36. My partner does not confine in me.

37. Ours is a very emotionally close relationship

38. I feel that I cannot rely on my partner

39. I feel that my partner and I do not have enough interests in common

40. We manage arguments and disagreements very well.

41. We do a good job of managing our finances

42. I feel that I should never have married my partner

43. My partner and I get along very well.

44. Our relationship is very stable

45. My partner is a real comfort to me.

46. I feel that I no longer care for my partner

47. I feel that the future looks bright for our relationship

48. I feel that our relationship is empty

49. I feel that there is no excitement in our relationship

 Section 3: Sexual Satisfaction (marital)

The following questions evaluate your degree of sexual satisfaction in your present marriage/relationship. Please, answer the questions as carefully and accurately as you can using the following scale.

1= strongly disagree

2= disagree

3= undecided

4 = agree

5 = strongly agree

50. I am satisfied with my spouse as a sexual partner

51. After sex I feel relaxed and fulfilled

52. I have satisfying orgasms

53. I feel that foreplay with my partner is very arousing

54. I have very good communication with my spouse about sex

55. I am satisfied with the variety of sexual positions and activities in which my spouse and I participate

56. I am pleased with the frequency with which my spouse and I engage in sexual activity

57. My spouse makes me feel sexually desirable

58. I am sexually attracted to my spouse

59. My spouse makes it clear that I provide him/her with a great deal of sexual satisfaction

The researcher would like to thank you for your participation in this study. Your identity will remain anonymous. No identifiable markers were used to track your identity in this survey.

To submit your answers, please, press the “submit” button at the bottom of the page.

Thank You.

APPENDIX G: ADDITIONAL TABLES

Table G1

Age of Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 19; 1.4%.

Table G2

Response to the Question “If You Are Married This is Your...”

Note. Missing values, n= 97; 7%.

Table G3

Response to the Question “How Long Have You Been in the Present Relationship?”

Note. Missing values, n= 33; 2.4%.

Table G4

Education Level of the Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 21; 1.5%.

Table G5

Household Income of Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 35; 2.5%.

Table G6

Occupation of the Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 24; 1.7%.

Table G7

Type of Community of Residence of Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 26; 1.9%.

Table G8

Size of Community of Residence

Note. Missing values, n= 33; 2.4%.

Table G9

Geographical Area of Residence of Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 19; 1.4%.

Table G10

Political Views and Affiliations of Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 30; 2.2%.

Table G11

Religious Views of the Participants

Note. Missing values, n= 28; 2.0%.

Table G12

“How Long Have You and You Partner Been Engaged in Swinging Activities?”

Note. Missing values, n= 43; 3.1%.

Table G13

“Who First Introduced the Ideas of Swinging Into Your Relationship?”

Note. Missing values, n= 34; 2.4%.

Table G14

Swinging Activity Frequency

Note. Missing values, n= 66; 4.7%.

Table G15

Swinging Sexual Preferences: Sexual Behaviors

Note. Missing values, n= 75; 5.4 %. Values do not represent absolute frequency for any one category since participants were able to choose one or several categories.

Table G16

Orgasm Frequency During Swinging Activities

Note. Missing values, n= 50; 3.5%.

Table G17

“How Do You Find Other Swingers?”

Note. Values do not represent absolute frequency for any one category since participants were able to choose one or several categories.

Table G18

“How Often Do You and Your Partner Frequent Swingers’ Clubs?”

Note. Missing values, n= 43; 3.1%.

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