Infidelity remains a prevalent issue in relationships, with over 17% of ever-married Americans admitting to having had affairs. Although linked to relationship problems, the causal relationship between infidelity and dissatisfaction is complex. A recent study in Germany analyzed over 14,000 adults over 12 years and revealed that individuals involved in infidelity typically experience lower life and relationship satisfaction, alongside increased conflicts. These findings suggest that infidelity is often a symptom of deeper issues rather than a standalone cause, challenging traditional perceptions of marital betrayal.
"Individuals who committed infidelity and their partners scored lower on life satisfaction, reported lower relationship satisfaction, and reported higher relationship conflict, on average across the years, compared with individuals in the control sample."
"Perpetrators of infidelity reported lower self-esteem, lower relationship satisfaction and intimacy, and more relationship conflicts during the time of their infidelity episode, suggesting a pattern of personal dissatisfaction before the affair."
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