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Betrayals in Emerging Adulthood: A Developmental Perspective of Infidelity
Jerika C Norona1, Spencer B Olmstead2, Deborah P Welsh1
1a Department of Psychology , University of Tennessee.
Journal of Sex Research
|July 18, 2017
Summary
Emerging adults engage in infidelity primarily due to unmet needs in their primary relationships. Attachment styles, such as anxious and avoidant, influence these infidelity decisions and motivations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Infidelity is a common issue in emerging adult relationships, causing significant distress.
- Understanding the underlying reasons for infidelity is crucial for relationship research and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind sexual and emotional infidelity in emerging adults.
- To explore the relationship between attachment styles and motivations for infidelity.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study involving 104 emerging adults.
- Collected and analyzed both written narratives and survey responses.
Main Results:
- Primary reasons for infidelity include unmet needs for interdependence and independence in primary relationships.
- Alternative reasons cited include alcohol influence, attraction, and novelty.
- Unmet interdependence needs correlated with avoidant attachment; unmet independence needs correlated with anxious attachment.
Conclusions:
- Infidelity in emerging adulthood is often linked to relationship dissatisfaction and attachment patterns.
- Findings highlight the importance of addressing relational needs and attachment in preventing infidelity.
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