The role of attachment, relationship satisfaction and gender in the relationship between parental infidelity and the tendency towards infidelity

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effect of having knowledge of parental infidelity on the tendency towards infidelity in adult romantic relationships, and also to examine the role of attachment, relationship satisfaction and gender on this effect. The participants of the study consist of 751 people between the ages of 18-65 who have been in a romantic relationship for at least 6 months. In line with the purpose of the study, the Experiences in Close Relationships II Scale, the Relationship Satisfaction Subscale, and the Attitude Towards Infidelity Scale were administered to the participants. As a result of the statistical analyzes, it was found that the knowledge of parental infidelity did not affect the attitude towards infidelity. In contrast, knowledge of parental infidelity was found to be associated with actual infidelity behavior. It was determined that avoidant attachment style and low relationship satisfaction predicted attitude towards infidelity. Findings differed by gender. Accordingly, men exhibit more accepting attitudes to infidelity than women. In addition, women exhibited more anxious and avoidant attachment style features than men. It was found that men indicated more infidelity behavior than women. The findings were discussed within the scope of the related literature. A set of suggestions for clinical field studies was provided.