Canadian Researchers Outline Personality and Relationship Factors Linked to Infidelity
Researchers from a Canadian university led a comprehensive review and new analysis to better understand what makes people more likely to cheat in a relationship or marriage. The findings were published in a peer reviewed medical journal dedicated to sexual health and behavior, reflecting a synthesis of earlier studies and fresh observations. The work emphasizes that infidelity cannot be boiled down to a single trait; rather, it emerges from an interplay of individual personality features, how people relate to others, and the surrounding circumstances that might tempt betrayal.
The study identifies a set of indicators tied to personality and relationship style. Some traits are intrinsic to the person, such as narcissistic tendencies or other aspects of the dark side of personality, while others relate to how a partner bonds in an intimate relationship. Context also matters: the likelihood of an act of betrayal can shift depending on the specific situation and perceived relationship satisfaction. In other words, predicting cheating requires looking at how content both partners feel about the relationship and their private lives, along with a range of other relevant factors.
One clear pattern that emerges is linked to conscientiousness. Individuals who score low on conscientiousness tend to show higher odds of infidelity. This trait is also associated with broader challenges in life, including inattention, disorganization, a lack of focus, and difficulties sustaining effort across tasks. When these patterns appear in a relationship, there may be a greater risk of crossing boundaries or seeking novelty outside the partnership.
Another notable pattern concerns gender differences in personality profiles associated with infidelity. Among men, a combination of low agreeableness and high extraversion is linked to a higher likelihood of engaging in cheating. For women, the research highlights tendencies tied to emotional and personality dynamics, including frequent neurotic patterns and certain dark traits such as narcissism, a propensity to manipulate others, and a lower sense of empathy. These features may be connected to how women experience and express attachment needs within a relationship.
Attachment style adds another layer of risk assessment. Women who exhibit an anxious attachment style are more prone to unfaithfulness compared with those who display a secure or avoidant pattern. Conversely, an avoidant attachment style appears to be associated with a reduced risk of infidelity in some contexts, though attachment dynamics are highly individual and context dependent. The findings underscore that attachment patterns interact with other personal factors to shape behavior in intimate relationships.
The authors of the study stress that infidelity is a multifaceted issue. Predicting it with high confidence is difficult because it depends on relationship satisfaction, sexual and emotional intimacy, commitment levels, and a host of other personal characteristics and life circumstances. This complexity means there is no simple formula to determine who will cheat or stay faithful, but recognizing these patterns can help individuals and couples understand and address potential vulnerabilities in a proactive way.
Historically, researchers have explored how to interpret a partner’s loyalty by observing behavior on social media and other public cues. While such signs can offer hints, they do not provide a definitive forecast. The evolving science continues to emphasize that a comprehensive view—one that considers personality, attachment, relationship quality, and situational factors—is essential for a more accurate understanding of infidelity risk.