Exploring Attitudes Toward “Sugar Relationships” Across 87 Countries: A Global Perspective on Exchanges of Resources for Sex and Companionship
Authors: Meskó Norbert , Kowal Marta , Láng András , Kocsor Ferenc , Bandi Szabolcs A. , Putz Adam , Sorokowski Piotr , Frederick David A. , García Felipe E. , Aguilar Leonardo A. , Studzinska Anna , Tan Chee-Seng , Gjoneska Biljana , Milfont Taciano L. , Topcu Bulut Merve , Grigoryev Dmitry , Aavik Toivo , Boussena Mahmoud , Mattiassi Alan D. A. , Afhami Reza , Amin Rizwana , Baiocco Roberto , Brahim Hamdaoui , Can Ali R. , Carneiro Joao , Çetinkaya Hakan , Chubinidze Dimitri , Deschrijver Eliane , Don Yahya , Dubrov Dmitrii , Duyar Izzet , Jovic Marija , Kamburidis Julia A. , Khan Farah , Khun-Inkeeree Hareesol , Koso-Drljevic Maida , Lacko David , Massar Karlijn , Morelli Mara , Natividade Jean C. , Nyhus Ellen K. , Park Ju Hee , Pazhoohi Farid , Pirtskhalava Ekaterine , Ponnet Koen , Prokop Pavol , Šakan Dušana , Tulyakul Singha , Wang Austin H. , Aquino Sibele D. , Atamtürk Derya D. , Burduli Nana , Chirumbolo Antonio , Dural Seda , Etchezahar Edgardo , Ghahraman Moharrampour Nasim , Aczel Balazs , Kozma Luca , Lins Samuel , Manunta Efisio , Marot Tiago , Mebarak Moises , Miroshnik Kirill G. , Misetic Katarina , Papadatou-Pastou Marietta , Bakos Bence , Sahli Fatima Zahra , Singh Sangeeta , Solak Çağlar , Volkodav Tatiana , Wlodarczyk Anna , Akello Grace , Argyrides Marios , Çoker Ogeday , Galasinska Katarzyna , Gómez Yepes Talía , Kobylarek Aleksander , Landa-Blanco Miguel , Mayorga Marlon , Özener Barış , Pacquing Ma. Criselda T. , Reyes Marc Eric S. , Şahin Ayşegül , Tamayo-Agudelo William , Topanova Gulmira , Toplu-Demirtaş Ezgi , Türkan Belgüzar N. , Zumárraga-Espinosa Marcos , Grassini Simone , Antfolk Jan , Cornec Clément , Pisanski Katarzyna , Stöckli Sabrina , Eder Stephanie Josephine , Han Hyemin 
Published: December 2023

The current study investigates attitudes toward one form of sex for resources: the so-called sugar relationships, which often involve exchanges of resources for sex and/or companionship. The present study examined associations among attitudes toward sugar relationships and relevant variables (e.g., sex, sociosexuality, gender inequality, parasitic exposure) in 69,924 participants across 87 countries. Two self-report measures of Acceptance of Sugar Relationships (ASR) developed for younger companion providers (ASR-YWMS) and older resource providers (ASR-OMWS) were translated into 37 languages. We tested cross-sex and cross-linguistic construct equivalence, cross-cultural invariance in sex differences, and the importance of the hypothetical predictors of ASR. Both measures showed adequate psychometric properties in all languages (except the Persian version of ASR-YWMS). Results partially supported our hypotheses and were consistent with previous theoretical considerations and empirical evidence on human mating. For example, at the individual level, sociosexual orientation, traditional gender roles, and pathogen prevalence were significant predictors of both ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS. At the country level, gender inequality and parasite stress positively predicted the ASR-YWMS. However, being a woman negatively predicted the ASR-OMWS, but positively predicted the ASR-YWMS. At country-level, ingroup favoritism and parasite stress positively predicted the ASR-OMWS. Furthermore, significant cross-subregional differences were found in the openness to sugar relationships (both ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS scores) across subregions. Finally, significant differences were found between ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS when compared in each subregion. The ASR-YWMS was significantly higher than the ASR-OMWS in all subregions, except for Northern Africa and Western Asia.