Abstract

SCHEEREN, Patrícia  and  WAGNER, Adriana. Predicting marital infidelity. Psicol. clin. [online]. 2019, vol.31, n.2, pp. 387-406. ISSN 0103-5665.  http://dx.doi.org/10.33208/PC1980-5438V0031N02A09.

Infidelity can be understood through four domains: personal characteristics, partner characteristics, marriage and context. This study aimed to verify the four domains as predictors of infidelity for both men and women. Married or cohabiting men and women (n = 1042) participated in this study, with a mean age of 37 years old. Participants filled a sociodemographic and relationship questionnaire, Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, Revised Dyadic Marital Scale and Reduced Triangular Love Scale. Results indicate that 18.7% of the women and 35.3% of the men have been unfaithful to their partner. All four domains predicted infidelity, with marriage having the greatest explanatory power. For both sexes, when there is intent to divorce and a parental model of infidelity, the chance of infidelity increased. For women, predictors of infidelity were age, work outside of the home and having same-sex coworkers. For men, predictors of infidelity were level of well-being, religious practice and travelling for work (themselves or their partner's). These findings indicate the importance of considering relationship dynamics, suggesting that a therapist can assess the quality of the relationship to help couples reduce the risk of infidelity.

Keywords : infidelity; marriage; predictor.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )