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Chantel Brink
Chantel Brink
February 7, 2024 ·  4 min read

This Factor Makes You 3x More Likely to Cheat on Your Partner

The act of cheating on your partner can be a devastating and life-altering experience. In an instant, a previously perfect partnership can feel irreparably damaged. Leaving the betrayed individual in a state of shock and questioning the reasons behind such betrayal.

Each instance of infidelity is unique. But recent research has shed light on a crucial factor that may significantly influence the likelihood of cheating on your partner. In fact, this factor has been found to increase the chances of infidelity by threefold. If you’re curious to know which red flag to be vigilant about, continue reading to uncover this important piece of information.

Have you cheated on your partner in previous relationships?

It is possible for people to change their behavior. But the act of cheating on your partner tends to exhibit a cycle or pattern. Making past cheating a strong sign of future unfaithfulness. A comprehensive review of research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2017 supports this claim. The review studied a group of 484 adults involved in heterosexual relationships. Aiming to explore the link between past cheating and related behavior.

The findings revealed a significant link. Individuals who had cheated in one relationship were more than three times as likely to cheat in their new relationships. When compared to those who had remained faithful to their previous partners. The review found that individuals whose former partners had been unfaithful were twice as likely to experience cheating in their current relationships.

These findings mark the importance of considering past behaviors when assessing the likelihood of future cheating. People have the ability to change. But the evidence strongly suggests that individuals who have cheated in the past are more likely to repeat such behavior in their future relationships.

Cheating on your partner can have devastating effects
Image Credit: Austin Guevara / Pexels

The study subjects who had a history of infidelity in previous relationships exhibited heightened levels of suspicion regarding their current partner’s faithfulness.

Have you experienced being cheated on or had suspicions of infidelity in past relationships? It is natural to be inclined towards searching for signs and explanations for why your partner was unfaithful. However, this inclination may accidentally lead to a heightened sense of suspicion toward your current partner, even if their behavior does not necessarily warrant such doubt.

Interestingly, the same study revealed that individuals who had suspected their former partners of infidelity were more than four times as likely to develop suspicions of their current partners cheating. This is when compared to those who had not experienced infidelity in their past relationships.

Read: Bride Reads Cheating Fiancé’s Text Messages Instead of Vows at Their Wedding

The pattern of repeated cheating on your partner remained consistent across different demographic groups. Indicating that it was not influenced by factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural background.

It is common to speculate about which demographic factors might contribute to a higher likelihood of infidelity. However, the study’s authors caution against relying on such assumptions as the findings indicate that certain demographic factors, such as gender and marital status, do not have a significant association with the prevalence of infidelity.

In their analysis, the authors emphasize that past cheating is a robust predictor of future infidelity, regardless of gender or marital status. This suggests that individuals who have engaged in infidelity before are more prone to repeating such behavior. Irrespective of their gender or whether they are married or not.

Would you cheat on your partner?
Image Credit: Ron Lach / Pexels

However, specific aspects of your relationship may be associated with the occurrence of attempting to cheat on your partner

While gender and marital status may not reliably predict whether your partner will cheat, other elements within your relationship can influence the likelihood of infidelity—both from your side or your partner’s.

A study published in The Journal of Sex Research in 2021 explored these factors and shed light on their connections to cheating. The research revealed that low relationship satisfaction, diminished romantic love, and personal sexual desire were significantly associated with in-person cheating. On the other hand, online cheating was linked to longer-lasting relationships—a greater interest in specific sexual activities and personal sexual desire.

These findings suggest that the quality of your relationship, including levels of satisfaction and emotional connection, as well as individual sexual desires and preferences, can play a role in determining the likelihood of infidelity. Pay attention to these factors and nurture a fulfilling and open partnership. You may be able to mitigate the risk of cheating and foster a stronger and more faithful bond.

Keep Reading: Woman Caught Boyfriend Cheating After His FitBit Said He Burnt 500 Calories At 2am

Sources

  1. According To A Study, This Single Factor Makes You Three Times More Likely To Cheat On Your Partner.” IFL Science. James Felton. August 21, 2017
  2. This One Thing Makes Your Partner 3 Times More Likely to Cheat, Study Finds.” Yahoo. Sarah Crow. November 16, 2021.