Date of Award

Summer 1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

Barbara Winstead

Committee Member

Valerian J. Derlega

Committee Member

Debra A. Major

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65 S93

Abstract

This study addressed dating infidelity attitudes and behaviors among college students involved in romantic relationships. Both emotional and sexual components of infidelity were analyzed. A gender difference emerged, with men being more accepting of dating infidelity and engaging in dating infidelity more often than women. Among both genders, however, attitudes were positively associated with behaviors. It was hypothesized that the following variables would predict dating infidelity: relationship satisfaction, relationship commitment, family structure, interparental conflict, parent-child relationship quality, and a young adult's knowledge of his or her parent's infidelity. Attitudes were found to predict behaviors. Relationship satisfaction and commitment were also among the best predictors of dating infidelity behaviors and attitudes. However, in general, family variables showed little influence over a young adult's experience with and acceptance of emotional and sexual dating infidelity, with a few exceptions involving the interaction of parent-child relationship quality and knowledge of a parent's extramarital affair.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/ff43-a046

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