Why Did I Cheat on My Partner? Mapping the Motives of Infidelity in Dating Relationships Through the Perpetrators

Abstract

Despite having an easy option to end the relationship and start a new one, many individuals betray their dating partner. In order to understand why, the present study explored the reasons for infidelity in dating relationships. Forty heterosexual adult participants (21 males and 19 females; Mage = 27.15) who had themselves engaged in infidelity participated in the study. The participants were recruited through the snowball sampling method. The study followed narrative methodology, where the perpetrators themselves narrated their cheating stories. The content analysis of narratives was done using Quirkos software. The findings reported numerous motivational factors contributing to infidelity in dating, which were clubbed into four factors: personal, relationship, third-party, and situational factors. Though many motives of infidelity in dating are similar to married individuals, only certain aspects are specific to a dating relationship, such as uncertainty about ‘the one’ revenge. The study not only shows the importance of personal, situational, and relationship factors but also stresses on third-party-factors, like love, attraction. The results show these reasons/factors may present alone to make individuals cheat or could present in combination or even in sequence. The results of the study can be useful in understanding and helping the dating couples going through such issues.