Top 8 Reasons People Give for Infidelity
Infidelity in the United States may affect 20 to 40% of marriages, according to the American Psychological Association. Why is there so much infidelity, and what causes spouses to go outside their marriage for fulfillment?
Top 8 reasons people give for cheating
In a 2019 study that sought to further expand on previous infidelity research, researchers sent an internet-based questionnaire to 495 participants, most of whom were young adults. The respondents self-reported the reasons behind their own infidelity.
This research found that people offer many explanations for their cheating. Often, the reasons had to do with their own needs and insecurities rather than aspects of the marriage or even their love for their spouse.
Sexual desire
Sometimes it happens: Thirty-two percent of respondents said the motivating factor in their affair was sexual desire.
Lack of commitment
Forty-one percent said they no longer felt as committed to their marriage.
Anger
Forty-three percent of respondents said that revenge and anger toward their spouse played a part in their infidelity.
Ego boost
Fifty-seven percent said they embarked on an extramarital affair to boost their own ego.
Circumstances
Seventy percent of respondents said that their infidelity was a result of opportunity and circumstance.
Feeling neglected
Seventy percent of respondents said they engaged in an extramarital affair because of their spouse’s inattentiveness.
Boredom
Seventy-four percent of respondents said their extramarital affair was the result of boredom in their marriage.
Falling out of love
Seventy-seven percent of respondents who cheated said that their existing relationship was missing something or that they found another partner for whom they felt more love.
What to do if your spouse cheats
Infidelity doesn’t always mean the end of a marriage. The reasons for a partner’s cheating are often complex, and it may have been a regrettable mistake. Some marriages can bounce back from a partner’s affair and even become stronger for it.
Suggested reading: Marriage + Infidelity = Divorce? Not So Fast
After an affair, many spouses have no idea how to move forward. Some couples benefit from couples therapy and counseling, where they can get the insight of a neutral party. Some choose to take a breather, or separate, so both partners have the time and space they need to explore what led to the affair and if there are ways to mend the marriage.
And, in some marriages, trust is broken and irreparable after an affair. In this case, spouses may decide that divorce is their only option. In fact, many people who divorce after an affair find their new life to be much happier than the one they were living during their marriage.
Marriage and divorce are both big decisions not to be taken lightly. At Hello Divorce, our goal is to support you in your next step. If you are contemplating divorce, we have low-cost online divorce plans that take some of the burden off your shoulders so you can prioritize yourself and your emotional and physical well-being at this time.
Want to know more? Schedule a free 15-minute call with one of our account coordinators to learn about your options.
