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Sociosexual orientation, commitment, and infidelity: a mediation analysis
Brent A Mattingly1, Eddie M Clark, Daniel J Weidler
1Ashland University, Department of Psychology, 156 Schar College of Education, 401 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805, USA. bmatting@ashland.edu
The Journal of Social Psychology
|June 17, 2011
Summary
Unrestricted sociosexual orientation (SO) is linked to lower relationship commitment and higher infidelity. Commitment partially mediates this link, meaning less commitment increases cheating likelihood in those with unrestricted SO.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Unrestricted sociosexual orientation (SO) is associated with reduced relationship commitment and increased infidelity.
- Previous research indicates a negative correlation between commitment and infidelity.
- The mediating role of commitment in the SO-infidelity relationship remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether relationship commitment mediates the association between sociosexual orientation (SO) and infidelity.
- To examine the relationship between unrestricted SO, commitment levels, and willingness to engage in various cheating behaviors (Ambiguous, Deceptive, Explicit).
Main Methods:
- Survey methodology was employed to assess sociosexual orientation, relationship commitment, and infidelity.
- Statistical analyses were conducted to test the mediating effect of commitment on the SO-infidelity link.
Main Results:
- Commitment was found to partially mediate the relationship between sociosexual orientation and infidelity.
- Individuals with an unrestricted SO reported lower levels of commitment.
- Lower commitment was subsequently associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in infidelity.
Conclusions:
- Relationship commitment plays a significant role in explaining the link between unrestricted sociosexual orientation and infidelity.
- Findings highlight the importance of commitment in understanding infidelity.
- Further research is needed to explore the nuances of this association and its implications.
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