When it comes to analyzing the factors that affect infidelity, demographics aren't enough. Instead, a recent study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior states that sexual personality matters more—particularly for men.
Robin Milhausen, Kristen Mark, and Erick Janssen conducted the study among 506 men and 412 women in monogamous sexual relationships that range from three months to 43 years. Based on their findings, the researchers came to the conclusion that personality variables such as being easily aroused and worrying over sexual performance failure are vital in causing infidelity in men. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to cheat if they are not happy with their relationship or if they feel sexually incompatible with their partners.
Milhausen understands that various factors predict infidelity. However, "what this study says is that when you put all of those things together, for men, personality characteristics are so strong they bounce everything else out of the model. For women, in the face of all other variables, it's still the relationship that is the most important predictor," she said.
This study may just seem to reaffirm existing stereotypes in society, but Milhausen believes that knowing what causes men and women to cheat "suggests directions for therapeutic interventions."
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(Photo from Unfaithful courtesy of 20th Century Fox.)
