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Cited by 240Marriage and Sexual RelationshipsSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologySexual function and dysfunction studies

Infidelity in Heterosexual Couples: Demographic, Interpersonal, and Personality-Related Predictors of Extradyadic Sex

Mark, Kristen P., Janssen, Erick, Milhausen, Robin R.·2011·Archives of Sexual Behavior
DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9771-z
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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the relative importance of demographic, interpersonal, and personality factors in predicting sexual infidelity in heterosexual couples. A total of 506 men (M age = 32.86 years, SD = 10.60) and 412 women (M age = 27.66 years, SD = 8.93), who indicated they were in a monogamous sexual relationship, completed a series of questionnaires, including the Sexual Excitation/Inhibition (SES/SIS) scales and the Mood and Sexuality Questionnaire, and answered questions about, among others, religiosity, education, income, relationship and sexual satisfaction, and sexual compatibility. Almost one-quarter of men (23.2%) and 19.2% of women indicated that they had "cheated" during their current relationship (i.e., engaged in sexual interactions with someone other than their partner that could jeopardize, or hurt, their relationship). Among men, a logistic regression analysis, explaining 17% of the variance, revealed that a higher propensity of sexual excitation (SES) and sexual inhibition due to "the threat of performance concerns" (SIS1), a lower propensity for sexual inhibition due to "the threat of performance consequences" (SIS2), and an increased tendency to engage in regretful sexual behavior during negative affective states were all significant predictors of infidelity. In women, a similar regression analysis explained 21% of the variance in engaging in infidelity. In addition to SIS1 and SIS2, for which the same patterns were found as for men, low relationship happiness and low compatibility in terms of sexual attitudes and values were predictive of infidelity. The findings of this study suggest that, for both men and women, sexual personality characteristics and, for women, relationship factors are more relevant to the prediction of sexual infidelity than demographic variables such as marital status and religiosity.

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  • Age, marital status, and importance of religion did not significantly affect proclivity for affairs.

    “They found that perceived sexual compatibility and happiness in a relationship were significant predictors of infidelity in women, while age, marital status and the importance of religion did not significantly affect one’s proclivity for affairs.”

    From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [82]

  • A stronger tendency to lose sexual arousal when facing possible risks is protective against engaging in infidelity.

    “They also found that a stronger tendency to lose one’s sexual arousal when facing possible risks serves as a protective effect for engaging in infidelity.”

    From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [82]

  • Up to 22% of people engaged in extradyadic relationships.

    “In their 2011 study, Mark et al., found that up to 22% of people engaged in extradyadic relationships [82].”

    From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [82]

  • Perceived sexual compatibility and happiness in a relationship were significant predictors of infidelity in women.

    “They found that perceived sexual compatibility and happiness in a relationship were significant predictors of infidelity in women, while age, marital status and the importance of religion did not significantly affect one’s proclivity for affairs.”

    From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [82]

  • Experiencing sexual problems in extradyadic relationships was less threatening for individuals with arousal difficulties.

    “Interestingly, they found that experiencing sexual problems in their extradyadic relationship was less threatening for individuals with arousal difficulties.”

    From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [82]

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Authors
Mark, K. P., Janssen, E., & Milhausen, R. R.
Affiliations
  • Indiana University Bloomington (US)
  • University of Guelph (CA)
Corresponding author
Mark, Kristen P.
ORCID
Venue
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011-06-11
Volume
40
Issue
5
Pages
971-982
ISSN
  • 0004-0002 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2800
DOI
10.1007/s10508-011-9771-z
OpenAlex
W2131215014
Cited by
240
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
FWCI
33.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Archives of Sexual Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD043689)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Keywords
sexual infidelity, heterosexual couples, sexual excitation, sexual inhibition, negative emotions, sexual compatibility, relationship satisfaction, relationship happiness, religiosity, demographic predictors, personality predictors
MeSH terms
Adult, Courtship, Extramarital Relations, Female, Humans, Deception, Male, Marriage, Personality, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Partners, Social Values, Sex Distribution, Spouses, Heterosexuality, Young Adult

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