The Relationship of Marital Satisfaction and Couples’ Communication Patterns with the Tendency toward Marital Infidelity among Married Individuals Aged 18–30
Keywords:
Attitudes Toward Infidelity, Marital Satisfaction, Communication Patterns, Constructive Communication, Demand.WithdrawAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship of marital satisfaction and couples’ communication patterns with the tendency toward marital infidelity among married individuals aged 18–30 years in District 8 of Tehran. This applied study employed a descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional design. The statistical population consisted of married individuals aged 18–30 years residing in District 8 of Tehran during 2025–2026, from whom 384 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Attitude Toward Infidelity Scale, the 35-item ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the 35-item Couples’ Communication Patterns Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and simultaneous multiple regression in SPSS version 26. Marital satisfaction was significantly and negatively correlated with the tendency toward marital infidelity (r=-0.71, p<0.01). Couples’ communication patterns were also significantly associated with infidelity tendency (r=-0.59, p<0.01). Marital communication, conflict resolution, sexual relationship, financial management, and general marital satisfaction were negatively correlated with infidelity tendency, with coefficients of -0.63, -0.57, -0.49, -0.42, and -0.71, respectively. Marital satisfaction and communication patterns jointly explained 58% of the variance in infidelity tendency (R=0.76, R²=0.58). In the regression model involving marital satisfaction components, 62% of the variance was explained (R=0.79, R²=0.62), with general marital satisfaction emerging as the strongest predictor (Beta=-0.43). Higher marital satisfaction and more favorable communication patterns were associated with a lower tendency toward marital infidelity, highlighting the potential importance of strengthening marital satisfaction, communication skills, conflict resolution, and intimacy in preventive and counseling programs for young married adults.
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Copyright (c) 1405 Mahtab Goodarzi (Author); Atousa Sadeghpour (Corresponding author)
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