Factors Determining the Attitude Towards Infidelity in Romantic Relationships: The Role of Parental Infidelity Experience, Attachment Style, and Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

One of the most common reasons for a marriage to end is infidelity. Relevant studies further demonstrate the significance of exploring this topic in order to understand the relationship dynamics and their consequences for personal and relational psychotherapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of various factors (age, gender, education level, relationship status, having a child, parental infidelity, attachment patterns, and relationship satisfaction) on individuals' attitudes towards infidelity in their romantic relationships. Accordingly, data was collected from 751 participants between the ages of 18 and 65 years (M = 31.24, SD = 9.66), who had been in a romantic relationship for at least six months. This data was gathered through a questionnaire containing various demographic questions related to infidelity, the Experiences in Close Relationships II Scale, the Relationship Satisfaction's Subscale and the Attitude Towards Infidelity Scale. According to the results of the conducted regression analysis and moderation analysis, it was observed that a younger age, parenthood, and being in a more formal relationship were associated with more negative attitudes towards infidelity. It was not found any significant relationship of gender, relationship duration, and education level. However, it was observed that an avoidant attachment style and the experience of parental infidelity also contributed to an increase in these negative attitudes towards infidelity. Lastly, individuals' satisfaction with their relationships emerged as a significant predictor of attitudes towards infidelity even when checkingfor the previously mentioned variables. The moderation analyses indicated that parental infidelity did not have a moderating effect on the relationship between attachment dimensions, relationship satisfaction, and attitudes towards infidelity. These findings were evaluated in the context of the existing literature, providing valuable insight into the factors influencing attitudes towards infidelity in romantic relationships.

Keywords

• infidelity in romantic relationships
• attitudes towards infidelity
• parental infidelity
• attachment
• relationship satisfaction

Romantik İlişkilerde Aldatmaya Yönelik Tutumu Belirleyen Faktörler: Ebeveyn Aldatması Yaşantısı, Bağlanma Biçimi ve İlişki Doyumunun Rolü

Abstract

Aldatma evliliklerin sona ermesinin en yaygın nedeni olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Yaygınlık çalışmaları da aldatmanın ilişki dinamikleri ve buna bağlı kişisel ve ilişkisel psikoterapi çalışmaları için araştırılmasının önemini göstermektedir. Bu çalışmada kişilerin aldatmaya yönelik tutumları ile ilişkili olabilecek (yaş, cinsiyet, eğitim durumu, ilişki durumu, çocuk sahibi olma durumları, ebeveyn aldatması, bağlanma örüntüsü ve ilişki doyumu) faktörleri incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Buna göre, 18 ila 65 yaş arasında (Ort. = 31.24, SS = 9.66), en az 6 aydır romantik bir ilişki içinde olan 751 katılımcıdan aldatmaya ilişkin çeşitli sorular içeren demografik bilgi formu, Yakın İlişkilerde Yaşantılar II Ölçeği, İlişki Doyumu Alt Ölçeği ve Aldatmaya Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği aracılığıyla veriler alınmıştır. Yapılan regresyon analizi ve düzenleyicilik analizi sonuçlarına göre, daha genç yaşın, çocuk sahibi olmanın, daha resmi bir ilişkide olmanın aldatmaya yönelik daha negatif tutumları beraberinde getirdiği görülmüştür. Cinsiyetin, ilişki süresinin ve eğitim durumunun ise anlamlı bir ilişkisi bulunmamıştır. Bağlanma biçimlerinden kaçıngan bağlanmanın ve ebeveyn aldatması deneyiminin yine bu tutumu artırdığı görülmüştür. Son olarak kişilerin ilişkiden aldıkları doyum, daha öncesindeki ilgili tüm değişkenler kontrol edildiğinde dahi aldatmaya yönelik tutumların önemli bir yordayıcısı olarak belirmiştir. Düzenleyicilik analizleri ise, bağlanma boyutları, ilişki doyumu ile aldatma tutumu arasında ebeveyn aldatmasının düzenleyici etkisi olmadığını göstermiştir. Bulgular alanyazın ışığında değerlendirilmiştir

Keywords

• romantik ilişkilerde aldatma
• aldatmaya yönelik tutum
• ebeveyn aldatması
• bağlanma
• ilişki doyumu

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