A third of people in relationships in Germany have been unfaithful, according to a recent study. Elite Partner conducted a survey of around 5,600 participants, which found that 31% of women and 27% of men had cheated at least once. Similarly, a Parship survey found that 25% of men and 13% of women had been unfaithful. More than half of those surveyed (59%) said they could not rule out cheating in the future. A study by the University of Maryland (UMD) has now investigated the key motives behind infidelity. The study involved 495 people who had already been unfaithful, answering 77 questions to determine the eight main reasons for cheating.
The UMD study found that only 20% of cases resulted in the end of the main relationship. In 11.1% of cases, an affair developed into a serious relationship, while 31.1% maintained sporadic contact with their affair partner, 29.9% remained friends, and 25.5% ended all contact. Those whose infidelity resulted from opportunity or a desire for variety were less likely to seek a serious relationship. Surprisingly, the affair was only discovered in 28.3% of cases, while 21.8% of partners forgave the transgression. Infidelity was particularly damaging to the main relationship when it occurred due to reasons such as anger, emotional deficits, lack of loyalty, or neglect.
The study provides insight into the complex reasons behind infidelity and the impact it can have on relationships. While the majority of those surveyed had been unfaithful, it is important to note that not all relationships are affected by infidelity in the same way. The study highlights the need for open communication and honesty in relationships to prevent infidelity and address any issues that may arise.
