Premarital precursors of marital infidelity.
Premarital precursors of infidelity were evaluated in a sample of 72 couples (N = 144) who were taking part in a longitudinal study of marriage. Premarital self-report and observational data were compared for couples who experienced infidelity and those who did not experience infidelity in the first years of marriage. Couples in which the male engaged in marital infidelity were characterized, premaritally, by significantly lower male sexual satisfaction, lower male positive communication, and higher female invalidation, whereas couples in which the female went on to engage in infidelity were characterized, premaritally, by significantly lower levels of female positive communication, higher levels of male and female negative communication, and higher levels of male and female invalidation. Implications of the findings for future research on the prediction and prevention of infidelity are discussed.
Allen
Elizabeth S
ES
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA. Elizabeth.allen@cudenver.edu
Rhoades
Galena Kline
GK
Stanley
Scott M
SM
Markman
Howard J
HJ
Williams
Tamara
T
Melton
Jessica
J
Clements
Mari L
ML
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005114:Extramarital Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust