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UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK IN PRAGUE

Department of Psychology

The Effect of Infidelity in the Workplace on Life Satisfaction among Different

Attachment Styles

Master Thesis

Supervisor: Submitted by:

Vartan Agopian, PhD. Vladislava Vaverová

Prague, April 2021

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Declaration

I hereby declare that I wrote this thesis individually based on literature and resources stated in references section.

In Prague: 26 April 2021 Signature:

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my thesis supervisor, Dr. Vartan Agopian greatly for his support and guidance in completing this thesis with me. Words cannot express how much I owe him for his constant encouragement and motivation throughout this journey.

Special thanks to my partner and family and friends for supporting me mentally and emotionally throughout the journey in finishing this thesis.

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Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effect of infidelity in the workplace on life satisfaction among different attachment styles. Specifically, this research investigated the effects of group of people working in corporate companies and their life satisfaction and infidelity in workplace. The study also examined the significant differences of infidelity and different attachment styles. One hundred and twenty-six participants attended to fill up the questionnaires to measure the effect of infidelity with adult attachment style and life satisfaction. The goal of this research was to find out relationship, connection, and the effect of infidelity on life satisfaction. Results showed that higher scores of secure attachments will predict higher levels of life satisfaction, while higher scores of anxious attachments will predict lower levels of life satisfaction, they also confirmed that infidelity and anxious attachment style will predict lower life satisfaction. On the other hand, results did not show relationship between prediction of higher level of infidelity and lower level of life satisfaction and that life satisfaction will be lowest among those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners.

Keywords: infidelity, love affair at workplace, satisfaction with life, gender, attachment style, quality of life, attachment and infidelity, cheating experience.

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction ...... 7 2 Literature Review ...... 13 2.1 Infidelity ...... 13 2.1.1 History of Infidelity ...... 14 2.1.2 Types of Infidelity ...... 15 2.1.3 Infidelity at Work ...... 18 2.1.4 Reasons for Infidelity ...... 19 2.1.5 Gender and Infidelity ...... 23 2.1.6 Age ...... 25 2.2 Life Satisfaction and Infidelity ...... 27 2.3 Impact of Infidelity on Individuals and Relationships ...... 28 2.4 Attachment ...... 30 2.4.1 Attachment Styles ...... 31 2.4.2 Adult Attachment Style ...... 32 2.5 Workplace Romance Motives ...... 34 2.5.1 Factors Predicting the Decision to Engage in a Workplace Romance ...... 36 2.6 Conclusion ...... 38 2.7 Research Questions and Hypothesis ...... 38 3 Methodology ...... 40 3.1 Research Design ...... 40 3.2 Participants ...... 42 3.3 Material ...... 44 3.3.1 Adult Attachment Scale ...... 44 3.3.2 Satisfaction with Life Scale ...... 46 3.3.3 Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale ...... 48 3.4 Ethics ...... 49 3.5 Procedure ...... 50 3.6 Data Analysis ...... 51 4 Results ...... 52 4.1 Demographic Variables ...... 52 4.2 Descriptive Statistics and Normality ...... 56 4.3 Testing of Hypotheses ...... 57

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5 Discussion ...... 68 5.1 Summary of Findings ...... 72 5.2 Discussion of the Results of the Hypotheses ...... 73 6 Conclusion ...... 75 6.1 Limitations ...... 77 6.2 Recommendations for Future Research ...... 78 References ...... 79 Appendicies ...... 91 Appendix A ...... 91 Informed Contest Form ...... 91 Appendix B ...... 93 Demographics questionnaire ...... 93 Appendix C ...... 94 Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale ...... 94 Appendix D ...... 95 Satisfaction with Life Scale ...... 95 Appendix E ...... 96 Adult Attachment Scale ...... 96 Appendix F ...... 97 Figures ...... 97

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1 Introduction

The issue of partner infidelity and life satisfaction is not only being addressed in the media, but more and more people are encountering this phenomenon in their daily lives.

People want to be life without hurting others. However, whether it is we who have been affected by an unpleasant event, or one of our acquaintances or friends, it can be said that there is always a person in our environment who has some experience with infidelity. It is not specific to a certain group of people; infidelity affects a wide range of people.

Infidelity is not only happening today, as it might seem, but on the contrary, it has occurred since the beginning of human life. Throughout history, infidelity has been more or less tolerated. For example, the mistresses of the French kings are very well known, the most famous being the mistresses of Louis XIV or Louis XVI of the Bourbon family.

The mistresses of the French kings were usually not kept secret from the public; on the contrary, it was a virtue and a highness to be the king's mistress (Cotton, 2019). Another interesting case in history was the English King Henry VIII, to whom Pope Clement VII did not allow divorce, and in response he tore England away from the Catholic Church and established his own church. There are countless stories in the history of partner infidelity, not only of celebrities but also of many ordinary people (Cotton, 2019).

The choice of the topic of this master’s thesis was born out of my experiences with infidelity in workplace. Together with life satisfaction, this is a topic that is very relevant today. I have always been very interested in interpersonal relationships, so when a partner infidelity occurred in my immediate area in the workplace, I became more interested in this issue.

In the theoretical part of my thesis, I focus on the history of infidelity and try to get closer to the possible motivations leading to partner infidelity, the types of infidelity that may occur, reasons of infidelity in the past and today as well as gender perception of

8 infidelity. In my work I also try to approach forms of life satisfaction, which affect the quality of life in relation to infidelity. I also focus on attachment style during adulthood, and what infidelity evokes and causes (Kipnis, 1998).

Infidelity. This word can be something we hope we will never meet. It can be something that makes us end a relationship, something that makes us clueless, something that makes us desperate, unhappy, something that attracts us more and more, that we fight with, that has taken away our trust in our partner, in the opposite sex, in ourselves.

Infidelity can be something that brings with it a storm of emotion that can break a family.

It is something that encourages us to think and look inside ourselves, that forces us to look for new solutions, it is something that can be prevented to a certain extent. Infidelity is something that can no longer be taken back. It is a problem. However, infidelity can also be something we want to experience. In some cases, infidelity can help an individual realize what he has, to begin to value himself more or perhaps compensate for what he did not have in his youth. Of course, infidelity is not always right, but it can guide to a better quality of life. However, infidelity can also be the consequence of problems

(Kipnis, 1998).

For the complex development of personality and quality of life, the quality of the initial relationship is of paramount importance, most often with the mother or other person who takes care of us from birth he or she is available and sensitive in gratifying basic developmental needs, especially up to three years of age. Emotional attachment is related to biological and genetic factors, social and cultural-historical context, where other relationship patterns play a role in the form of other people. These are the father, relatives, siblings, educators at all levels, as well as peers and intimate partners, but also certain groups and communities (Blatt & Levy, 2003).

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Social ties are a basic human need. If there is rejection by the relationship characters, the child is struck by the saturation of a certain basic developmental need and relationship.

This is risky and threatening and it is better to avoid them defensively, to withdraw than to experience the pain of rejection. In the school environment, these may be children who have difficulty to adapt to the group either being inconspicuous or, conversely, having very expressive behaviors. These are children who often change schools, cannot find their place among people, travel to various professional institutions and usually do not have a secure emotional connection to any person in the family (Cassidy et al., 2003).

The image of family ties predestines the child's relationships and behaviors towards others throughout his life. The interaction of parents and their relationship to each other but also to the child is stored in the memory of children and creates an idea of safety and protection. It also forms an equation of how the relationship in adulthood looks like and determines what is normal for the individual (Fraley et al., 2018). Children learn this model, and, on its basis, develop an attitude of trust, security or distrust and threats in the world. The quality of secure relationships strengthens resilience, which is the ability to cope with stressful situations. It dampens the impact of traumatic experiences, promotes curiosity, initiative, trust, intimacy, increases the ability to establish important relationships, and to manage and constructively resolve conflicts, as well as emotions

(Fraley et al., 2018). It also helps in development of cognitive and language skills. Current neurological research demonstrates, with the help of functional magnetic resonance, the importance of a certain emotional bond in childhood and adulthood, from which many benefits stem, such as reduction of stress, ability to provide and receive care and the reduction of pain related to neural activity (Cassidy et al., 2003). Certain binding behaviors are related to the parent's ability to mentalize - understanding the feelings and intentions in the child's behavior - and the ability to represent these mental states, which

10 brings good qualities to other relationships. The regulation of effect is associated with mentalization, which plays a crucial role in the development of the experience of self and activity (Fraley et al., 2018).

The theory of emotional attachment deals with the creation of an emotional bond between people, which determines that the development of a safe relationship between a child and a carer is the basis for the ability to maintain stable and close relationships in adulthood. The theory of emotional attachment offers itself as one of the dominant interpretive theoretical frameworks for understanding the many aspects of a partnership that affect its functioning (Hazan & Shaver, 1990). Many studies have concluded that the style of emotional attachment in adulthood is a strong predictor of satisfaction in a partnership, which is an interesting topic for the lay and professional public at a time of growing instability in partnerships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). At the same time, partner satisfaction represents a variety of issues that can be grasped and processed from many angles. The aim of this work is to present the theory of emotional attachment in adulthood in the context of life satisfaction, satisfaction in relationships, infidelity and reasons why it occurs, and to further research the relationship between the quality of emotional attachment and perceived life satisfaction and infidelity in the workplace. Understanding infidelity from the perspective of emotional attachment can find its use in counselling and therapeutic practice (Hazan & Shaver, 1990).

The researcher's reflection can be perceived as the zero phase in the results process. It is appropriate to reflect on the researcher's relationship to the research topic, and this reflection accompanies her throughout the research process and serves to work simultaneously in a phenomenological perspective and at the same time to be transparent as a researcher throughout the research process.

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I got into the topic of secret partnerships at work, where I have been working for the last four years. As part of this research, I wanted to address the topic of infidelity in workplace and life satisfaction related to relationships. Specifically, I thought about the issue of infidelity associated primarily with attachment style in adulthood, but also whether people are satisfied with their lives when they cheat on their partner. This topic is the subject of conflicting views and stereotypes. People have certain ideas about partnerships, what is still right and what is not, especially in terms of what infidelity means, for example, and what is not yet for individuals.

From my experience, from the point of view of an observer of my colleagues, I know that sometimes it is better if as few people as possible know about the relationship.

Especially from the beginning, because as soon as the surrounding colleagues learn about the relationship, others suddenly become interested in the relationship. And that means a lot of talk and questions that colleagues may not always want to answer, they don't know how to react to local jokes about a secret relationship or even confrontation. In addition, some actors hide their relationship because they are already in another relationship, others do not want someone to know about them in the workplace, because the rules of the corporate companies may prohibit relationships in the workplace. There are many reasons why a working relationship with hard co-workers is hidden. Someone just wants to look after their privacy. The reason for secrets is therefore rather an effort to avoid the unnecessary questions and talk of the actors involved.

I do not have personal experience with a long-lasting effort to keep a relationship secret and at the same time I do not have experience with relationships in the workplace.

However, I realize that reasons for secrecy can often be very crucial and this situation may not be easy for both partners at all. Based on research and partly also on the experience of my colleagues, I therefore decided to focus on why infidelity in the

12 workplace occurs, whether people are satisfied in their private lives and what type of adult attachment predominates.

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2 Literature Review

2.1 Infidelity

What does infidelity actually mean? Everyone understands infidelity as something else. The best-known definition of what infidelity means is that infidelity is a partner violation of the norms governing the level of emotional and physical intimacy with persons outside a permanent partnership (Drigota & Barta, 2001). Nowadays, one can understand infidelity in many other ways which are not mutually exclusive. The reasons for infidelity may be because of an unhappy family life, insufficient levels of sexual activity with a spouse, lack of religious and moral motivation, dissatisfaction with life, problematic personal life or addictive behavior.

As Greely (1994) describes in his research, adultery has nothing to do with education, religion, or the countries in which people live. However, he does not focus on people's life histories, so he does not talk about the reasons why people allow themselves to be unfaithful. According to Greely (1994), 10 percent of married respondents do not think that having sex with someone other than their wife is always bad. 70 percent of married respondents think that having sex with another way is completely wrong.

Opinions on extramarital sex have not changed in America during the entire study period, which lasted for twenty years. The .34 correlation between attitudes toward extramarital sex and behavior decreases to .33, taking into account the frequency of church visits and the intensity of religious affiliation, which means that the moral norm is independent of religious devotion (Greely, 1994). For example, a nonpartial relationship can project development from frequent intimate friendships to sexual intercourse (Blow & Hartnett,

2005). A special type of infidelity in recent years is virtual infidelity, when people first contact each other through dating servers or accidentally start writing, for example, at an online discussion event. They communicate only via the Internet or mobile phones, for

14 example, through SMS messages, WhatsApp messages, emails, skype or any other form of virtual communication. This type of communication can be purely emotional, but it is also very much associated with the cybersex phenomenon. A virtual relationship can easily change into a physical relationship, when the couple begins to meet, and the pair creates a classic traditional relationship.

However, other studies related to infidelity perception and attachment style to infidelity. Steward (2017) states in his study that anxious emotional attachment significantly predicted a less tolerant perception of infidelity, but also factors that affect infidelity (Steward 2017). An individual’s traumas from childhood (emotional, physical, sexual abuse, emotional and physical neglect) influence their emotional attachment styles, tendencies to infidelity, jealousy and self-esteem. Yumbul et al. (2010) performed on 150 respondents (91 women, 59 men), including married individuals, those in relationships and single people. The results of the study showed a significant difference when a child experiences childhood trauma; a significant positive correlation exists between trauma scores and infidelity (Yumbul et al., 2010).

2.1.1 History of Infidelity

Historically, infidelity has evolved, and the penalties for infidelity have changed over the years and centuries. In history, infidelity has been taken very seriously, especially those acts perpetrated by women. While male infidelity was generally tolerated, women were punished very severely for infidelity. In some countries, women are still drastically punished today (Knopp, 2017).

In ancient Greece, the death penalty was allowed so that unfaithful women could be executed. In Rome, women were taken into exile, imprisoned, flogged or shadowed, depending on the particular ruler. A woman's lover was then punished by her husband according to his will. The Middle Ages were no milder for infidels. Women locked

15 themselves in monasteries, and they castrated their lovers (Overton, 2002). However, if the husband was unfaithful to his wife, no punishment awaited him. The reversal and milder assessment of infidelity did not occur until the 18th century. In the 19th century, women received a code that allowed not only them but also their husbands to be prosecuted for infidelity. However, the morals of the time were relaxed, and sanctions were solved mainly through fights. If infidelity was discovered, it was no longer considered a serious offense and a reason for severe punishment. Infidelity was a matter of course of the time, as evidenced by the undisguised mistresses of rulers (Overton,

2002). This phenomenon was most pronounced in the French court. Loyalty was not even expected of the nobility. The marriage was formal, at least one mistress (representative) was a necessity. In addition, men had occasional "unofficial" mistresses who were used for short-term exfoliation and were often rotated and had no influence. Legally infidelity was not punished until 1810 in France, when the first laws of allegiance were made, when even a woman could sue her husband for infidelity (Knopp, 2017).

Elements of this time have carried over to the present day. Infidelity is not as open as in the Middle Ages, but society's approach to it is very benevolent. Paradoxically today's man is even often unfaithful to their partner, even though they may still love them and does not want to leave them. Infidelity can also help strengthen a relationship. This happens in situations where an unfaithful partner has a bad conscience and tries to compensate for their infidelity by taking much more care of their partner relationship than they would normally do. However, the problem arises when that infidelity is revealed

(Overton, 2002).

2.1.2 Types of Infidelity

Infidelity is most often divided into sexual, emotional, and combined. Sexual infidelity is characterized only by sexual, physical activity, an example of which may be

16 sexual intercourse with a prostitute (Sheppard et al., 1995). As a rule, however, there is an emotional and sexual component in most divisions, whether this behavior is referred to as infidelity, cheating or non-partner behavior. According to Buss et al. (1999), sexual infidelity refers to sexual activities (eg, sexual intercourse) outside of a long-term relationship. By contrast, we can consider emotional infidelity when a partner directs resources such as love, time, finances, and attention, to someone other than a permanent partner. According to this theory, sexual infidelity is more common in men, it is based on historical forms of how a man and a woman work in a relationship. The man was always the one who fought for food, hunted and wanted his genes to be as widespread as possible.

In contrast, women pay more attention to emotional infidelity than men (Buss, 1997), although the sexual component is usually also included. According to history, women were gatherers, and their main task was to maintain the fire and heat the home. Women who were engaged in casual sex without an emotional relationship would risk getting pregnant without the help, protection, and investment of a man's resources. A man usually does not “invest” in a woman for one night, and if infidelity is found by the primary partner, the woman would also lose her resources and investments. These selection pressures have created fundamental gender differences between men and women

(Sheppard et al., 1995).

2.1.2.1 Physical Infidelity

Physical infidelity is largely described as covert physical contact with a person with whom a person is not in a lasting partnership. However, the range of such behavior is wide. Its beginning can lie with an ordinary kiss and end with the sexual act itself, whether in the form of a long-term relationship or just a plot for one night (Thomton et al., 2011).

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What must be specified is whether physical infidelity is always mere bodily desire or lust or is a harbinger of emotional infidelity. It can be just body contact that evokes pleasant feelings in people and brings pleasure. The question is which of these infidelities actually stands at the beginning. What if physical infidelity is just a gradual process arising from emotional experience - infidelity?

From a global point of view, it may seem that physical infidelity is somewhat worse than emotional. In general, a person is particularly sensitive and vulnerable at the sexual level because physical infidelity is something tangible (Nydahl, 2009). However, both can have devastating consequences for a relationship. However, one could say that what destroys people the most is a combination of emotional and physical infidelity. After all, just at the discovery of infidelity, one of the first questions asked, both by women and men, is the question: "Do you love him or her?". If a partner is physically and emotionally involved in another relationship, it makes us feel that the partner is completely lost to us

(Nydahl, 2009).

Anjum et al. (2015) stated in his study of 300 married participants that men confirmed sexual unfaithfulness more than ladies, while ladies saw passionate betrayal more than men. Men saw sexual unfaithfulness and ladies saw passionate disloyalty as the most difficult type of betrayal (Anjum et al., 2015). In other words, it is much more difficult for men to accept the sexual infidelity of a woman, and it is much more difficult for women to accept that a man has invested his feelings in infidelity, not just his body

(Anjum et al., 2015).

2.1.2.2 Emotional Infidelity

Emotional infidelity is understood as where we invest not only time but also our feelings. Towler et al. (2013) showed that women are not able to go into a relationship of infidelity without investing their feelings. However, emotional infidelity can also be

18 understood, for example, as internet relationships or phone relationships, spending time or sharing intimate thoughts with another person of the opposite sex. Whitty (2017) in her research, which involved 1,117 participants, points to attitudes about online and offline manifestations of infidelity. The results of this study suggest that individuals perceive that some of the interactions that happen online can be considered as unfaithfulness; their accomplice has a longing for another person and is searching for a sexual experience with someone else. What is remarkable about this examination is the conclusion that online betrayals don't fall into a different class. As can be seen from the analysis of the facts, each factor comprised of on the web and disconnected demonstrations of unfaithfullness (Whitty, 2017).

The main problem with these studies is that each participant understands the exchange of the word of infidelity differently. And this definition may not be in line with the researcher's intention. Better is, for example, the research by Schutzwohl & Koch

(2004), in which participants had to memorize certain specific situations that characterize the stimuli of sexual and emotional infidelity in a story (e.g. a partner is bored of sex with you, refuses sex; does not answer when asked whether he loves you). They defined the so-called boundaries in which the study’s participants moved and evaluated what is and what is not infidelity (Schutzwohl & Koch, 2004).

2.1.3 Infidelity at Work

Love and friendship at work is not uncommon. Especially because people spend most of their time at work and establish friendships with their colleagues in addition to work. We spend most of our lives at work. That's why it's very easy to start feeling closer to the people we work with than to the people we live with. Suddenly a spark jumps out and the co-worker starts to look like a very attractive person (Dillard, 1987).

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In Australia, according to Brown (2016) study, up to 36 percent of employees have an affair with a colleague at work. People are extremely receptive. They have excellent sight detectors, which can detect the slightest movement of another person's eyes. People will subconsciously glide their glances at the object of their desire - and how easy it is for someone in the office to notice (Brown, 2016). People are also very good at collecting indirect cues - for example, there is a difference between what you say in words and what your body language says. You do not hide tense shoulders, a slight redness on the face or a drop of sweat on your eyebrows, because people often pay more attention to body language than the words you say (Dillard, 1987).

2.1.4 Reasons for Infidelity

Infidelity occurs for many reasons. It usually depends on the individual, on their character, behavior and actions. Some people would never commit infidelity in their relationship, others are unfaithful several times in one relationship. Some regret their act and would rather turn time back, while others practice infidelity regularly. In general, the most common stimulus that causes infidelity is relationship dissatisfaction. It is therefore a misunderstanding between the partners, both sexual and mental.

Shackelford & Buss (2002) divides sexual infidelity into two groups. The first is based on sexual need, the second on non-sexual motivation. According to Mackenzie

(2011), infidelity resulting from sexual need takes three forms: a) Insufficient acceptance of the loyalty standard - the partners do not recognize the requirement of marital fidelity as binding. This type of partner has a family, but he does not allow himself to be restricted in his freedom. If this individual has the opportunity to have sexual intercourse with another person, he or she sees no serious reason not to take advantage of this challenge, apart from the necessary caution regarding disclosure, unwanted pregnancy, or sexual infection. Rosenberg (2003) calls this type of infidelity

20 recreational - it can therefore appear during the absence of one partner during a stay on a holiday, business trip or in a spa. However, it can also occur at the workplace, for example at a company party. In this case, however, there may be a disclosure and it is then difficult to tell the partner but also colleagues that the person in question only banished boredom. b) Sexual dissatisfaction - infidelity can occur in marriages where partners feel sexual inconsistency. If the disagreement and dissatisfaction of one of the partners is long-term, they tend to find extramarital affairs. Spouses only feel an emotional bond with each other but are unable to have sexual intercourse. Kato (2019) adds to this type that individuals do not want to divorce because they respect their partner, but they also do not want to live in such an unfulfilled relationship. When an unfaithful partner has a strong moral responsibility to their partner, they feel internal conflict and guilt. This type of infidelity can lead to divorce. c) Seduction - for most people, this type of infidelity is the least dangerous. It is not the result of sexual dissatisfaction or mental discord between partners. It most often occurs when drinking alcohol or by seduction by another person. In this case, a strong sexual desire prevails, which can later lead to feelings of guilt. Levine (2009) believes that this type of infidelity is usually one-off and therefore does not lead to a long-term non-partner relationship.

Sexual infidelity associated with non-sexual motivation again takes three forms

Kato (2019): a) Retaliation for a partner's infidelity - if an individual learns that his partner was unfaithful to them, they react in various ways. Sometimes they want revenge, so they repay their infidelity in the same way. b) Satisfying the need for emotional acceptance - if an individual in a relationship does not get love and desire from their partner and has nothing talk about with their partner,

21 he or she will often look for someone else to talk to. Sexual need alone does not play a big role here. An individual can have a good sexual understanding with a spouse, but in other areas they have nothing to talk about. There is no confirmation that their partner still likes them and that he or she is attracted to them. Kato (2019) writes that this type of infidelity very often leads to a breakup of partners. c) Attempt to treat sexual desire - this type is characteristic of individuals who are sexually dissatisfied. These are either women who have not had an orgasm with their partner for a long time or men who have erectile dysfunction with their partner. These people are trying to test their sexual ability with other partners. They often justify infidelity by saying that they can use extramarital experiences to improve their sexual functioning in marriage (Levine, 2009).

Levine (2009) assigns this form to infidelities that result from sexual need. In addition, Kato (2019) adds that this infidelity can also occur in individuals who find out during their marriage that they are sexually satisfied, such as with sadomasochistic games, changing into different suits or longing to make love with three or more people.

They usually confide in their partner with their wishes, but the partner is not interested in this type of sex. In some cases, he or she can vehemently reject their partner or ridicule them (Kato 2019). This type of infidelity is often accompanied by a strong sense of shame and guilt. This infidelity is long-term and repeated, but usually does not lead to the breakdown of marriage.

Fye & Mims (2018) complements other causes of infidelity: a) Revival of a cold marriage - the partner tries to change the stereotypical marriage, in which the same topics are always talked about, nothing new is done, etc.

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For this reason, the individual commits infidelity and wants the cheating partner to learn about the infidelity. They often confess to their spouse and asks them to be more attentive and warmer to them. b) Enduring an unsatisfactory marriage - the partnership works well, but the partners in the marriage lack something and try to look for it in another relationship. Infidelity can also lead to improved marriage if an unfulfilled need is fulfilled by an unfaithful partner in an extramarital affair. The marriage is stable, unless the cheating partner finds out about the infidelity. That could then lead to divorce (Fye & Mims, 2018).

An individual seeks extramarital contact to obtain various financial, recreational or work benefits. However, it does not always have to be about material security. The lover offers a different lifestyle. This infidelity arises in such a way that the unfaithful partner falls in love not with the personality of the partner, but with what they offer

(Wegner, 1995).

We can distinguish a large number of causes that lead to infidelity. The following type is very common and is mentioned in study of Chuick (2009). It is a desire for adventure and passion, in which an unfaithful partner repeatedly longs for a state of love, enchantment and passion. The person is looking for short-term relationships, which they end after the love phase. These relationships are emotionally charged and very passionate.

Unfaithful at home is usually a good parent and husband. Even though they love their spouses and would never want to leave them, without side relationships such an individual would be bored (Chuick, 2009).

Another cause is curiosity. The individual longs for new experiences. He or she already knows their married partner well; they cannot expect anything new from them.

With a new partner, they get to know a different lifestyle, a different leisure time. A new partner gives them what their spouse cannot, even though they want to. They are romantic

23 with one partner and adventurous with the other. With one they can play sports, with the other they can go to the theatre. This infidelity is repeated very often, as the unfaithful partner is dependent on new stimuli that arise with each new partner. This type of infidelity usually leads to the breakdown of the marriage, as they do not hide (Wegner,

1995).

2.1.5 Gender and Infidelity

Finchman (2017) stated that in the past 21% of men and 11% of women had been unfaithful to their partners. However, today, infidelity numbers are more balanced for both men and women (Finchman 2017). According to Platt et al. (2008) those who testified in a study that there was some conflict between their parents often had a negative view of themselves and others; in addition, men (52% of respondents) who knew of their father's infidelity were also more likely to be unfaithful. However, this experience was not confirmed in the infidelity of mother and daughters (Platt et al., 2008).

Heterosexual men are afraid that their wives will have sex with someone else, regardless of whether the woman is in love or if it is just a one-time affair. Above all, women are afraid that their husband will fall in love with someone else. If they find out that the partner's infidelity was only about sex, they are able to forgive him more easily

(Tsapelas et al., 2011).

In the case of women, infidelity most often occurs in circumstances as a result of feeling underappreciated, rejected or ignored. The partner or husband might treat them as a cleaner or housekeeper, and so women resort to satisfying these emotional deficiencies outside the home. Women can lack the intimacy they need from their counterparts. This includes spending time together, sharing feelings, but also sexual activities. They tend to be overwhelmed by caring for others and do not get attention to meet their own needs.

She feels lonely, whether due to physical or emotional distance from her partner

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(Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). On the other hand, women have too high expectations of a relationship when they require constant attention and care from a partner who is usually unable to meet such requirements. Here again, the trauma of childhood is evident if as children they did not have constant attention from their parents. As paradoxical as it may sound, traumatized people may look for situations in their lives that remind them of childhood trauma once again - and this may, of course, be sexual in nature, because they are looking for a return to something familiar. The reason may also be the lack of sexual activity in the relationship (Atkins at al., 2005).

In his study, which involved 202 men and 486 women, Chuick (2009) points out how men and women see emotional infidelity similarly. Instead of men and women perceiving the emotional reasons for infidelity differently, as previously suggested in the

Glass & Wright study (1992), this study found that emotional infidelity is not different but very similar in men and women (Chuick, 2009).

Rosenberg (2018) mentions in his study that the reasons for emotional infidelity may be dissatisfaction in a relationship, but satisfaction is only one piece to infidelity and decision of one of the partners if he or she decide to do so. As already mentioned, men often cheat because of a lack of sex and women because they lack emotional connection in a relationship. In our society, however, seismic sexual and relationship shifts are taking place. The roles of men and women change accordingly according to the evolution and development of society and culture. As a result, the motivations and frequencies of cheating are becoming more and more similar and closer for men and women. However,

Chuick (2009) mentioned in his study, the reasons for infidelity might be when men often lack an emotional connection with their wife, just as women do not have enough sex at home, so the man begins to look elsewhere (Chuick, 2009).

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In the study Surijah et al. (2020) states that there is no different score between sexual and emotional infidelity in men and women. Unlike previous studies, no differences were found on the pain scale. The study shows that men and women experience pain the same way today. When they find out that their partner is cheating on them, both sexes experience the same pain and suffering. There was no difference in the degree of anger and guilt, both sexes blamed their counterpart who committed infidelity in the same way. Men and women were angrier about sexual transgressions than emotional ones (Sabini & Green, 2004). Men and women with previous experience of cheating have agreed that cheating on the same gender is significantly more forgivable than the unfaithful nature of the opposite sex - for example, when a female friend admits cheating on her husband, the woman is able to understand her more than if men cheated and it was a man's friend. Respondents who had no experience with infidelity found it to be generally unacceptable regardless of gender (Sabini & Green, 2004).

2.1.6 Age

Infidelity does not shy away from anyone. Men and women, young and old. But what is changing is the reason why they are attracted to foreign beds. According to experts, the "motivation" to fly in the twenties is different than in the fifties. When a person is about twenty to twenty-five years old, and has a permanent partner, they can be unfaithful. In their case, infidelity is most often due to a desire for freedom and independence, as reported by twenty percent of respondents to the Journal of Sex

Research (Tsapelas et al., 2011).

Behind their instability is also a certain youthful recklessness and rebellion.

According to researchers from the University of Harvard, it is simply a period of trial and error, when a young person tries to organize his life and finds out where they want to belong. In addition, British sex expert Tracey Cox (2005) date believes that today's young

26 generation is growing emotionally much later than in the past. According to earlier generations, by the age of about twenty, they were getting married and having children

(Cox, 2005). To the current generation, this maturation takes much longer (Wegner,

1995).

Another age category mentioned by experts is people aged thirty to forty. They are already emotionally mature, live in a long-term relationship and often have children.

They are getting bored in relation to relationships, or they are thinking about whether they would still survive in the singles market, curiosity also plays a role in that age, especially in proving their own attraction to others (Walker, 2018). Captivated by partner stereotypes, they may get the impression that they no longer have it. They lose their self- confidence, which they need to somehow increase. Moreover, at this age, the first round of life burnout sometimes comes. Around thirty-five, logically come questions like 'why am I doing all this' and 'what is the meaning of my life'. And when people don't know the answer, they fall into frustration and depression. They can also try to get out of it by being unfaithful. They feel that they are 'living again' (Walker, 2018).

Around the age of forty is the so-called middle age for most people. They live in an age-old marriage or partnership, they have children, often grown up, or even adults.

During this period, very often all relationship problems and disagreements, which somehow did not have time because of children, work or running a household, and thus swelled, break out in full force. At this age, the most obvious is whether people worked on their relationship and were able to maintain mutual love and support despite the stereotype. Most relationships that were held together because of children or family status are now falling apart (Wegner, 1995).

Moreover, at this age, people are starting to think much more about themselves and are more selfish because they are overwhelmed by real fear. They are terrified that

27 they have not yet achieved anything they planned in their lives. Suddenly they need to catch up while there is still time. The study states that men and women between the ages of 40 and 50 are the most satisfied. This applies to both married couples and couples who live together for a long time (Fish et al., 2012).

2.2 Life Satisfaction and Infidelity

Nickerson & Nagle (2004) state in their study that children and adolescents compared to adults showed moderately high levels of life satisfaction. Most children and adolescents said they were the least happy at school and happiest when with their friends.

The impact of attachments styles to parents and peers and to school satisfaction varied by gender and grade. Women had higher school satisfaction rates than men. Satisfaction with life is the most important factor in people's lives, the second being job satisfaction

(Iverson & Maguire, 2000).

Life satisfaction comes from marriage and well-being where results have shown that people are about twice as happy if their husband or wife is also their best friend

(Mallandain et al.,1994). The quality of relationships, meeting the needs of autonomy, competence and kinship and a secure connection with a partner have been identified as solid pointers of well-being (Gómez-López et al., 2019).

Although research and clinical practice have provided considerable data, the results of some researches have shown that mothers and fathers who reported more anxious emotional ties were less satisfied with their marital relationships. Anxious emotional attachment can therefore significantly predict marital dissatisfaction in couples' conjugal connections. The results of another study showed that couples who had the same style of emotional bonding, in other words both were in a secure emotional bond, had higher marital satisfaction than couples with other styles of attachment (Sina et al., 2018).

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According to Apostu (2016), satisfaction in a relationship is primarily a matter of trust. Distrust resulting from suspicion or real infidelity is a source of constant tension in the relationship, which can have destructive effects on the relationship. However, the problem of contemporary society is increasingly individualistic behavior, which results in a dual conception of fidelity and infidelity.

Perel (2019) states in her book four reasons why completely happy people risk their home and good name due to infidelity. According to her, self-examination plays a big, perhaps even the biggest role. On one hand, there is an increase in self-confidence, an exciting feeling of risking and experiencing something completely new, which is associated with new and often unknown emotions. Perel describes that man is thus a kind of emotional tourist who, instead of yoga meditation, gets to know himself through sexual experiences with people who are not his partner. Today, when it is very easy to find a counterpart to such a cheerful and seemingly innocent outburst thanks to social media, it may seem quite natural (Perel, 2019).

McNaulty et al. (2018) report from two independent studies involving 204 newlywed couples that when a man or woman is emotionally bored, the likelihood of cheating is doubled. The authors state that this kind of infidelity is not about sex. An individual who resorts to it has more problems with himself, he often tries to cope with some basic anxiety or trauma, he takes the romance as a kind of effort for self-knowledge, diversification, or a supplement to his still imperfect life. His counterpart has nothing to do with the situation (Mcnulty et al., 2018).

2.3 Impact of Infidelity on Individuals and Relationships

The partner's infidelity can be perceived as one of the most traumatic life situations and can have a devastating effect on the psyche. According to Walker (2018),

29 a person who loses a loved one, a person with whom he has dreams and desires, experiences feelings commensurate with the death of a loved one.

The most common mental and health problems associated with an unresolved partner crisis are depression and anxiety. The physical symptoms are headaches or in other organs that are not objectively found, or gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation or diarrhea may occur. Mental crisis can be accompanied by sleep disorders, a feeling of loss of safety and security, and a feeling of subjectively experienced threat.

The individual enters a state of tension, which further develops into anxiety, which is accompanied by a depressed mood (Salvaggio et al., 2011).

Often, relationship problems are somatised, i.e., that the psychological consequences are minimal, but somatic difficulties come to the fore, which are difficult for physicians to classify into a certain clinical disease (Smith, n.d.). As a rule, the organic finding is minimal or non-existent. In this case, the mental crisis remains unrecognized and untreated by the doctor. Symptomatic pharmacotherapy predominates in the treatment, which is often accompanied by a number of unnecessary examinations. Many of these patients receive psychiatrist care after years of such treatment. This trauma often develops in some people as bipolar personality disorder (Smith, n.d.).

Wolker's study (2018) used a sample population of married individuals who specifically seek extramarital sexual experiences (n = 1070) and analyzed those elements that influence an individual's general view of life satisfaction before, during, and after their sexual relationship. The results suggest that although sexual scandals tend to make respondents happy, a number of factors influence the perception of life satisfaction during the scandal, including the belief that it is necessary for the partner to remain in the primary relationship. There was also a gender effect. The surprising finding was that after the end of a sexual relationship (infidelity), respondents were even more satisfied than before the

30 beginning of a sexual relationship, provided that they still had a lasting relationship

(Wolker et al., 2018).

Yancey & Berglass (1991) tested the usefulness of different love styles for life, work and relationship fulfilment was analyzed. Of the 98 women in this study, agape

(selfless love) was the only love style positively associated with life satisfaction, while manic and ludic styles of love were negatively associated with life satisfaction. In 42 men in this study, storgic and ludic love were positively related to life satisfaction, while manic and pragmatic love had negative results on life satisfaction. One of them, which is inconsistent for both sexes, was the negative correlation between possessive, manic style of love and life satisfaction (Yancey & Berglass, 1991).

2.4 Attachment

Bowlby's (1969) theory of attachment stands from the idea that attachment to loved ones is a natural requirement. Bowlby argued that individuals are born with a behavioral system oriented to creating these bonds - a program of goals and strategies settings based on the central nervous system that has developer to assist newborn children with remaining nearby to their parental figures, in this way guaranteeing insurance and endurance. This attachment system is activated whenever a child feels threatened or dangerous, evokes feelings of anxiety and motivates behavior to restore feelings of security, as does for adults when they feel threatened or afraid (Bowlby, 1969).

The male predominant romantic narrative, the social receptivity of men and women, and male amusement significantly and positively predicted marital satisfaction.

On the other hand, anxiety and avoidance of women's and men's relationships, women's dominance, female and male subordination, and female pleasure negatively and significantly predicted marital satisfaction. Remarkably, the relationship between the love story of fun for women and the love story of fun for men was not significant. A total of

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49% of variations in marital satisfaction in men and 77% of variations in marital satisfaction in women were predictive variables (Sina et al., 2018).

People who were manhandled or dismissed in adolescence may create broken examples of enthusiastic closeness, closeness, wellbeing chasing, and constructing trust in sentimental connections because of their lost hope connection frameworks. Despite the fact that trauma is a marker of propensity to be unfaithful, the study was unable to discover any distinction in disloyalty inclination regarding connection styles. Yumbul et al. (2010) assumed connection capacities as an arbiter in the relationship of trauma and treachery propensity yet the outcomes showed an alternate type of connection between these factors, which ought to be tended to in additional examination. Sentimental envy, which contrasted altogether among connection gatherings (restless/distracted introducing the most desire in sentimental connections followed by frightful/avoidant, secure and pretentious/avoidant), didn't show any relationship with trauma (Yumbul et al., 2010).

2.4.1 Attachment Styles

As mentioned in several studies, emotional attachment in childhood affects a person's development and other relationships in adulthood. Adults perceive their future relationships as strong in the context of emotional attachment and feel good about them or, conversely, they may feel insecure and sometimes even anxious in relationships

(Bowlby, 1969). Infidelity and emotional attachment in adults can be closely related.

Bowlby’s (1969) study found that higher rates of infidelity existed among respondents with increased levels of anxiety. People with an emotional attachment that exceeds anxiety tend to prove their worth through others and thus through the partnership, how much their partner likes them and how much they value them. Especially women, if they have an emotional connection with anxiety, they tend to not trust to anybody and feel that they are not attractive (Hepper et al., 2012). The more partners they have, the more

32 attractive they become and their self-confidence increases. The study shows that in the case of adulthood, a person is able to experience an emotional bond with only one person.

The study shows that if a person has a relationship and emotional connection to someone, that person does not tend to look for other partners and be unfaithful. However, the studies mentioned above do not show or explain if there is a safe attachment style if people have less tendencies of infidelity or if there are any differences when people are feeling anxious and unattached (Hepper et al., 2012).

Levine et al. (2011) show that people who tend to avoid are more often unfaithful, as they use this tool as a strategy to avoid clinging to one person and thus a sense of closeness in the primary relationship (Levine et al., 2011). Studies by Platt et al (2008) focus on whether the impact of parental infidelity and conflict on the adult child's life satisfaction and romantic attachment style. One of their studies shows that if children under the age of 9 learn that one of their partners has been unfaithful, they will be inclined to behave in the same way as their parents. The study found no correlation between attachment style and adult infidelity in the future (Platt et al., 2008). Platt also mentions that a father's behavior will have a greater impact on the son and that a woman's (mother's) behavior will have a greater impact on door behavior in the future (Platt et al., 2008).

2.4.2 Adult Attachment Style

Paley et al. (1999) found that people with an involved style of emotional attachment during conflict exhibit even more negative emotions than people with other types of attachment. Based on the experience of an early relationship with a person in custody, this is a unique opportunity to learn that the expression of positive emotions does not gain the attention of this close person, but that a more effective means of gaining and maintaining their attention are negative emotions (mainly fear and anxiety). In contrast to the individuals involved, Paley et al. (1999) state that people reject emotional

33 attachment by trying to influence their partners with emotions instead of trying to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible and shorten the duration of conflicting negative emotions.

Cann et al. (2001) state that emotional attachment styles as well as conflict resolution styles can be understood as ways to evaluate oneself and others. Working models of emotional attachment determine how one perceives the availability of proximity to others and at the same time oneself as the recipient of this proximity. Conflict resolution models show the extent to which one is interested in meeting one's own requirements or rather the needs of others when resolving conflicts. The authors found that an integrative style of conflict resolution is related to a certain emotional bond, a dominant style of conflict resolution with a negative style of emotional attachment, an avoidant style of conflict resolution belongs to a scary style of emotional bonding is associated with an involved style of emotional attachment (high level of anxiety, low level of avoidance in relationships).

Research on the development of emotional attachment focuses on three broad areas of child and parent, peers and romantic partners, and current relationships and emotional attachment in them (Crowell et al., 2008). Emotional attachment to a romantic partner is the most common topic of emotional attachment in adulthood, which corresponds to

Bowlby's theory (1969). Thus, arose the self-assessment scale of Hazan and Shaver's emotional attachment (1987). Hazan and Shaver (1987) attempted to develop a relationship-specific questionnaire and found that these stemmed from many variables such as an individual's assumptions about love and relationships, memories of early parenting, and work experience.

Hazan and Shaver (1987) used attachment theory as a device for building and understanding of adult love. The three unique styles of attachment - secure, avoidant, and

34 anxious/resistant - have been used as the focus of two questionnaire studies. The main study included 620 respondents answering love quiz and the follow-up study involved

108 university students. Respondents were requested to select one of three depictions of connections that best captured their emotions from sentimental connections. The results show help for comparable connection styles in adulthood, as shown at the beginning, and unsurprisingly contrasts in the way love is capable. In addition, in this adult example, they also reflected the frequencies of connection styles that occur in newborns. These styles of connection were also identified with memories of young people's encounters with guardians and of the inner working models of themselves and others (Hazan &

Shaver, 1987).

2.5 Workplace Romance Motives

Workplace romances affect both participants, co-workers, superiors, and the organization as a whole. The workplace relationship will always be something that will be talked about by members of the organization and people in general (Powell, 1998).

While a broad study of romances in the workplace can focus on many forms of romantic relationships in organizations (e.g., homosexual, heterosexual), this article builds on previous literature in an effort to integrate theories of heterosexual romance.

Subsequently, work environment sentiment is right now characterized as any hetero connection between two individuals from the very association that includes shared sexual fascination (Dillard & Broetzmann, 1989). When two individuals share intimate and passionate feelings, they are likely to become romantically attached because of their strong emotional ties and physical attraction to each other (Sternberg, 1986).

In light of information from 297 respondents, the outcomes suggested that (a) ladies had more negative mentalities toward sentiment and sexual closeness at work than men, (b) investment in a sentiment relationship with an individual from a similar

35 organization was strongly related with self-appraisal. As per the emotional theory of overflows, the degree of cherishing affections for the current heartfelt accomplice was decidedly connected to the individual's own degree of internal work inspiration, contribution and fulfillment (Pierce, 1998).

The majority of the population condemns infidelity, the greatest possibility reported by the studies is for both genders in employment. Wilson’s (2011) study states that this is the easiest way to meet someone without having to pay for sex or looking for someone. Thirty percent of respondents admitted that they were suddenly involved in an intimate relationship with someone who works for the same company (Wilson, 2011).

As of late, there may have been an expansion in disloyalty because of a greater extent of ladies in the labor force, which may prompt a slight expansion in deep rooted infidelity in the coming years. The illustrative model of infidelity in men summons factors that make up one fourth of the difference and recommends enthusiastic strains and issues in the adulterer\'s character. The model, which addresses 15 percent of the fluctuation between ladies, directs more toward relationship issues. Notwithstanding, the model for working ladies (clarifying one-fifth of the deviation) is more similar to the model of men than different ladies, despite the fact that there is no critical distinction between the two gatherings of ladies in their dissatisfaction with regards to extramarital sex or their fulfillment with their everyday life (Demirtas et al., 2012).

Wegner et al. (1995) describe a secret partnership as one in which at least one of the partners is interested in keeping their relationship secret from at least one or more people. Partners do not have to keep the very existence of a relationship a secret, but perhaps only the identity of the partner or the importance of the relationship (Foster et al.,

2010). Wegner et al. (1995) also take into account the platonic relationships that exist in the minds of only one of the pair. Even the attempt to conceal this platonic outburst from

36 its object meets the conditions of a secret relationship. Lehmiller (2008) describes that relationships can be kept secret for various reasons. The most common reason for secrecy is the fear that the environment will not approve or even condemn the relationship (Facio,

2013).

At first, however, it was assumed that secret relationships were attractive. Wegner et al. (1994) examined the role of secrecy in perceived attractiveness in three follow-up studies. It turned out that the terminated relationships to which the respondents tended to return in their thoughts were more often secret. The second study also confirmed that earlier relationships, which were also secret, were more often the subject of obsessive interest. Similarly, the last study, which was an experiment, showed that participants who had secret contact with a partner were more attracted to their partner than other groups.

These findings suggest that secrecy in a relationship could have a long-term impact on obsessive engagement in the relationship itself. However, Foster & Campbell (2005) argue that Wegner et al. (1994) and his colleagues focused on a limited list of situations where, for example, strangers were secretly communicating with each other or previous relationships. This may create an incomplete picture; however, the aim is not to replace this theory, but rather to supplement it (Foster & Campbell, 2005).

2.5.1 Factors Predicting the Decision to Engage in a Workplace Romance

For the same reasons, men and women are not perceived as entering into intimate relationships at work. The expected differences according to the gender of the observers did not materialize. Furthermore, the motivations attributed to one of the romance partners in the office did not differ in whether or not the third-party observer was personally involved in such a relationship (Anderson & Fischer, 1991).

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In addition to formal relationships in the workplace, casual relationships (i.e. those that arise without the involvement of the organization) are also connected with positive work and personal outcomes, for example, attractiveness among co-workers increases teamwork, communication and collaboration (Reich et al., 2010).

In addition, workplace romances have been associated with happier employees and a positive work atmosphere (Riach & Wilson, 2014). Motives associated with work and ego were more likely to be associated with gender. Men were perceived to enter into relationships for ego satisfaction, excitement, adventure, and sexual experience, while women more often saw romantic relationships or advancement in employment (Anderson

& Fischer, 1991).

The beginnings of amorous liaisons at work can be traced back to Quinn (1977), who defined three common reasons for participating in workplace romance (love, ego, and employment). The motive of love includes a desire for sincere communion and long- term relationships; the ego motive refers to people who participate in romantic relationships for the purpose of thrill, exploit, and sexual experience; a work-related motive is associated with a desire to move forward at work, for example by gaining increased power and job security (Quinn, 1977).

It was found that motives of attachment and romance in the workplace predict internal work motivation, job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment and more dimensions of work performance, but the study did not focus on life satisfaction and motivation and romance in the workplace (Belinda, 2017).

Amorous relationships between employees who have no work interests between them may be more acceptable than a re-phrase at bed with a boss or client. Studies in this field are well known to be difficult due to the topic. However, it must continue, especially

38 if organizations are to develop policies that are sensitive to adult behavior (Belinda,

2017).

All studies have stated that the topic of romance in the workplace is a sensitive one: and guarantees of confidentiality may not be sufficient to obtain an accurate rate of occurrence (Harms at al., 2011).

2.6 Conclusion

Infidelity has been assumed to be counterproductive for many people who want positive outcomes in life, such as happiness or life satisfaction. The literature hosts many research studies that have explored the reasons why infidelity happens, as well as the relationships between various love styles and life satisfaction (Yancey et al., 1991).

Studies regarding infidelity in the workplace, such as that of Wallgren et al., (2016) show that participants who had a romantic relationship in workplace agreed that they should have first ended their previous relationship before starting a new one, since their life satisfaction ended up being very low. Other research studies show how attachment styles and marital relationships affect each other, and the results generally show that there is a positive and strong correlation between attachment and successful long-term relationship

(or marriage) (Sina et al., 2018).

2.7 Research Questions and Hypothesis

Based on the above-mentioned theoretical background, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of infidelity in the workplace and attachment style on life satisfaction of adults. This study has life satisfaction as its dependent variable and infidelity and attachment styles as independent variables (covariates). It tests the effect of life satisfaction on infidelity among different attachment styles. There is only a limited number of previous research studies that have examined the joint contribution of their three variables.

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The study strives to answer the following research questions:

1. Does infidelity predict lower life satisfaction?

2. Does infidelity predict different levels of life satisfaction among different attachment styles?

3. Is life satisfaction lower for those who do not engage in infidelity if their partners do engage in infidelity?

4. Does an anxious attachment style, coupled with infidelity, predict lower life satisfaction?

Based on an extensive review of the literature, the following hypothesis are formed:

H1: Higher scores of secure attachments will predict higher levels of life satisfaction, while higher scores of anxious attachments will predict lower levels of life satisfaction.

H2: Higher level of infidelity will predict lower levels of life satisfaction.

H3: Life satisfaction will be lowest among those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners.

H4: Infidelity and anxious attachment style will predict lower life satisfaction.

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3 Methodology

Relationships with our partners are one of the most important relationships we create in life. One of the most influential and most studied characteristics of partnerships is probably partner satisfaction, which has a significant impact on various areas of human life, especially mental well-being and physical health, as stress or discomfort affects the autonomic nervous system, which affects various bodily processes (Sina, 2018).

3.1 Research Design

The research team of one of the most comprehensive long-term studies, led by

American psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Robert Waldinger (n.d.), sought to answer the question of what keeps people healthy and happy. This Harvard study looked at people from puberty to more than 75 years of age. The result of this study, which continues research on the offspring of the first group of respondents, is that it is quality relationships that keep people happier and healthier. Satisfactory close relationships play a protective function even in moments of distress or pain. The study shows that physical pain, on the other hand, was exacerbated by emotional distress in unhappy relationships (Waldinger, n.d.)

The question, however, is why one is satisfied in life while another is not. The answer, as the theoretical part of the work presented, can be found, for example, in childhood. The relationship that the child experiences with the parental figure is the primary and most fundamental relationship in a person's life in general (Bowlby, 1969).

He carries this experience in himself until adulthood, where he repeats it in his intimate relationships. The research part of the thesis deals primarily with the question of whether infidelity predict different levels of life satisfaction among different attachment styles.

When formulating the aim of the work and research hypotheses, the work is based on a number of research studies, the summary of which was mentioned in the theoretical

41 part. The main goals of this work are to present the theory of emotional attachment in the context of partnerships and statistically verify the relationship between emotional attachment in adulthood and the perceived satisfaction in a relationship in a selected sample of the population and reasons for trust in the workplace depending on the above points.

Infidelity is a very old phenomenon that has been associated with marriage since time immemorial. Marriage is a very fragile matter and infidelity is just one of the factors that can support this fragility even more. In many professional publications on the family and marriage, sections and chapters are devoted to infidelity, and the authors of the books comment on this topic from various angles. At present, infidelity is also a frequent topic in the media, women's and tabloid magazines. New articles on this topic appear daily on the most visited websites today (World agrees: Adultery, while prevalent, is wrong,

2018).

The main task of the empirical part of the work is the analysis and interpretation of the data, which were obtained by respondents filling in questionnaires. The empirical investigation aims to examine how this topic is perceived by people who have ever encountered infidelity in their lives. Through the addressed respondents, I want to look at today's presence of infidelity and to understand the context in which it takes place in relation to life satisfaction and adult attachment style. Empirical research is enrichment, which carries with it the risk of losing confidence and a dose of naivety in the trouble- free relationships of decent people. At the same time, however, great enrichment with information on the functioning of interpersonal relationships.

In this thesis, a quantitative approach was used to examine the differences in the perception of infidelity between different sets of participants. Due to the fact that a number of research studies have already been carried out in the field of infidelity, the aim

42 of research in this work was not to create a new theory, but to verify and examine in more detail the theories already existing by accepting or rejecting established similar hypotheses.

3.2 Participants

One hundred and twenty-six respondents participated on this research. Of 126 participants, 43 were male (34.1%) and 83 were female (65.9%) (see Table 1). Forty- three participants were single (33.9%), and 83 participants were not in a relationship

(66.1%) (see Figure 1). The age of the participants ranged from 18 to 84 years; between

18 – 24 years old 13 participants (11.9%) participated in this research, in the range of25

– 34 years old 53 participants (42.1%) answered the questionnaire, 35 – 44 years old total

44 participants (34.9%) participated in this research, 45 – 54 years old 11 participants

(8.7%) attended in this research and 55 – 64 years old total 3 participants (2.4%) attended in this research (see Table 2).

Table 1

Frequencies of Gender

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Male 43 34.1 % 34.1 %

Female 83 65.9 % 100.0 %

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Figure 1

Relationship Status (Single or Not) Distribution of Participants

Table 2

Age Range of Participants

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

18 - 24 15 11.9 % 11.9 %

25 - 34 53 42.1 % 54.0 %

35 - 44 44 34.9 % 88.9 %

45 - 54 11 8.7 % 97.6 %

55 - 64 3 2.4 % 100.0 %

The advantages of the quantitative approach can be seen in the possibilities of generalizing research findings to a wider population, in the greater structure of research and its repeatability, in the lower influence of the researcher on the research process and

44 thus in lower distortion of results. However, the quantitative approach, in contrast to the qualitative approach, lacks the possibility to flexibly adapt to situations arising during research, the ability to find new topics or capture the researched phenomenon in its full depth, breadth and context of the natural environment. This was taken into account during the research below.

3.3 Material

The thesis objective was to answer the key question which has been set at the beginning the research. The study concentrates if infidelity predicts lower life satisfaction in people’s life, also if infidelity predict different levels of life satisfaction among different attachment styles. As additional question the aim of the study was find out if life satisfaction is lower for those who do not engage in infidelity if their partners do engage in infidelity and if an anxious attachment style, coupled with infidelity, indicate lower life satisfaction.

3.3.1 Adult Attachment Scale

In adult partnerships, the style of emotional attachment between partners creates expectations from the relationship and the partner, satisfaction in the relationship, or degree of intimacy between the partners (Tucker & Anders, 1999). Emotional attachment is also related to human life satisfaction. Bowlby (1969) describes how the system of emotional attachment develops throughout human life and manifests itself in the thinking and especially in the behavior of each individual, which is associated primarily with support from other people. Hatami et al. (2011) describe the function of the attachment figure in forming an emotional bond in adulthood, so that not only at an early age, but also at any time later people seek closeness to other people, mainly to create a feeling of discord lack of harmony. People tend to seek out and enjoy the proximity of these people in moments of need for safety throughout their lives. Just as children experience anxiety

45 when they see their mother, they are most emotionally attached. Emotional attachment in adult relationships differs from parent-child attachment in that both partners can accept both the role of caregiver and recipient of care, and in these roles, they alternate with childhood, where this function is usually divided and given unilaterally (Fraley & Shaver,

2000).

Bogaert and Sadava (2002) were the first to mention in their study the relationship between adult attachment and infidelity. The authors concluded that individuals with anxiety attachment were more likely to commit infidelity than people with security adult attachment style (Allen & Baucom, 2004). This result was particularly significant in the female samples. Anxious oriented females displayed a higher percentage of infidelity and a higher level of intimacy motivation (Allen & Baucom, 2004). In addition, individuals who demonstrated an insecure attachment style showed a much higher percentage of fears of being abandoned by their partner. This style of attachment, as reported by the authors, leads to a much higher percentage of people who commit infidelity (Fish et al., 2012).

Another very interesting moment is the perception of the partner's emotional bond.

Jhangiani et al. (2014) mapped emotional attachment in close relationships focused on both self-assessment of their type of emotional attachment and evaluation of the type of emotional attachment the partner has, or better yet, the partner's self-evaluation. The results of research show that many characteristics of a partnership (such as the satisfaction

I examine in the relationship) are influenced not only by the type of emotional attachment

(individual self-esteem), but also by the type of emotional attachment the partner has

(partner self-evaluation). Thanks to its type of emotional attachment, the partner uses a certain repertoire of behaviors, which he / she responds to the individual's behavior in the relationship (Hatami et al., 2011). Even the emotional bonding styles of partners living in a close relationship respond to each other, individuals may differ in their needs and

46 desires with a different emotional bond (for example, a partner with anxious emotional bonding requires more intimacy and closeness from the individual than the individual is willing or able to provide) (Jhangiani et al., 2014).

3.3.2 Satisfaction with Life Scale

Diener et al. (1985), created one of the most common scales for measuring life satisfaction, the Satisfaction with Life Scale. He considers life satisfaction to be a concept that is one of the three components of subjective well-being (SWB). In addition to life satisfaction, which he considers a cognitive component of SWB, Diener et al. (1985) with pleasant affections and unpleasant affects, as its two other components. Family, family relationships and the circle of close friends play some of the most important factors in a happy life. Kennedy et al. (2004) mentions in their study that the effect of socio-economic level also has a great influence on life satisfaction (Kennedy et al., 2004).

Diener et al. (1997) define personal well-being as a long-term or persistent emotional state in which a person's overall satisfaction with his life is reflected. It includes a cognitive component, which is a conscious assessment of one's life, and an emotional component, which is a collection of moods, emotions. Life satisfaction is classified as a cognitive, i.e., conscious, global assessment of one's own life as a whole (Diener et al.,

1997).

Diener (1984) complements his previous studies by adding that life satisfaction is an overall assessment of a person's feelings and attitudes over a period of time from negative to positive. Diener & Smith (1999) also included life satisfaction, the desire to change lives, satisfaction with the future, and satisfaction with the past. Life satisfaction was conceived as a cognitive component of subjective well-being. High satisfaction indicates that the quality of life is good in the studied population, while low satisfaction means the presence of deficiencies.

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Fahrenberg & Myrtek (2001) states in their study that life satisfaction means individual assessment of living conditions (past and present) and perspectives for the future, where a standardized questionnaire allows the capture of individual satisfaction in different areas of life and its companion with representative norms.

Over the last thirty years, studies will have focused significantly on personal well- being. One of the important events in this area occurred when Diener (1984) formally defined a subjective view and thus provided a common concept for researchers dealing with well-being. According to Diener (1984), subjective well-being consists of affective well-being (ie, positive and negative influences) and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction is a cognitive assessment of life as a whole, and the assessment of life satisfaction is based on one's own subjective goals (Corrigan et al., 2016).

Based on a number of studies by Diener et al. (1999) results of many years of study. Aging and older age do not have a direct effect on the decline in life satisfaction.

Compared to men, women are more prone to depression and positive emotionality, but due to more intense experience with positive emotions, they are able to manage and generally apply reductions that there are no significant differences in life satisfaction between the sexes (Diener et al., 1999). People in marriage show higher life satisfaction.

Unemployed people are considered the most unfortunate group of all respondents.

Behavioral and personality factors are often the main predictors of life satisfaction, their influence is crucial, yet they are very difficult to measure (Diener et al., 1999). Health requires a major biological factor that is used to perceive the situation individually. If you do not have serious health problems and a person is able to adapt, life satisfaction may not be affected (Diener et al., 1999).

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In 1985, Diener and colleagues created the five-component diagnostic method to measure life satisfaction The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). This scale is still the dominant method of measuring life satisfaction.

The SWLS consists of 5-items that require a rating on a 7-point Likert scale.

Administration is rarely more than a minute or two and can be completed by interview

(including phone), paper and pencil response or online. The instrument should not be completed by a proxy answering for the person. Items of the SWLS are summed to create a total score that can range from 5 to 35 (Corrigan at al., 2016).

3.3.3 Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale

One can set one general acceptance definition as infidelity, and yet, in this case, I will consider the results to be the same as unfaithful behavior in more than 80% of my respondents paying for infidelity. In our work, we will use tracking attitudes to the classical infidelity Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) (Wilson et al. 2011).

One of the reasons is that one is not satisfied with their life situation, they are not satisfied with themselves or their life, as a second option they chose emotional control, who do not agree with childhood into adulthood. As mentioned above in this work, all people change during their whole lives in a way, the team changes their emotional bond over the years, the basis is of course in childhood, but is formed in connection with the establishment of friendship and partnership (Girard et al., 2018).

The Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (Wilson et al., 2011) describes the degree of specific behavior that is considered infidelity. This is found on 12 questions rated on the Likert scale, where "0 = there is never infidelity" and "6 = there is always infidelity". The scale contains three subscales. Ambiguous behaviors (behaviors that are a common part of everyday situations, but in some cases can be a sign of infidelity, such as telephoning or communicating over the Internet with someone other than your partner),

49 misleading behaviors (such as lying to a partner) and explicit behaviors (e.g. oral sex with someone other than your partner). Ambiguous behaviors are measured in items 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9, misleading behaviors in items 2 1 and 3 and explicit behavior are detected in items

8, 10, 11 and 12. With further analysis it is possible to obtain data about the perception of sexual and emotional infidelity. A range of explicit behaviors measure sexual infidelity, whereas ambiguous and deceptive behaviors refer to emotional infidelity

(Vassar, 2008).

3.4 Ethics

From the beginning, I was aware that this was a sensitive topic. That's why I tried to make research participants know their rights and what will await them. After prior consent, the respondents were acquainted in Appendix A with the approximate duration of the interview and especially the topic to which the questionnaire relates. On the first page, respondents were also able to find informed consent, which was presented to participants to obtain consent. After reading within the text and ticking off with participation, they agreed to fill in the questionnaire truthfully. All respondents were also able to read on the first page that they could contact me immediately if they had any additional questions. If respondents were interested in receiving the results, after filling in they were invited to provide their email address, to which the diploma thesis was sent to them with an overall evaluation.

In order to ensure that the current study abides by ethical standards, the topic of the study, in addition to the research design and hypothesis of the master’s thesis research were submitted and reviewed by the researcher’s supervisor before commencing the research on the participants. Furthermore, an IRB (Institutional Review Board) form was completed and submitted to Director of the master’s and the Dean of Psychology, who also serves in the chain of the IRB committee. The objective of the study was for 126

50 participants to self- report whether they have depression symptoms and internet addiction, in addition to their self-esteem. The survey was conducted anonymously through an online Google questionnaire. The data were stored on the author’s (Vladislava Vaverová) private laptop for analysis purposes and will then be destroyed at an appropriate time within three years of the study. After the submission of the thesis, it will be available only for UNYP students. The participants signed an informed consent form, which is the first part of the survey (see Appendix A). Participants received information about their right to privacy in the consent form at the beginning of their participation.

3.5 Procedure

The selection of participants was usually purposeful. The aim was to ensure the most homogeneous sample of individuals for whom the research question is relevant. I used a call I posted on Facebook to reach out to potential participants, and I approached my current alley with former colleagues and friends. The text briefly describes which participants I was looking for, how the research would take place and how they could participate. I enclose the full text in the framework of Appendix A. The following criteria were set for inclusion in the research: age at least 18 years, experience with a secret partnership in the workplace (current or former). The duration of the relationship is not conditional.

The questionnaires thus created (Appendices B, C, D and E) were subsequently placed on the website www.forms.google.com. The advantage of the online questionnaire is its anonymity, the possibility of obtaining a large sample at the same time with low time and financial demands and the convenience of testing (participants can fill in the questionnaire anywhere, whenever and take as long as they want). On the contrary, its disadvantages are the low percentage of completely completed questionnaires and the

51 possibility of filling in the answers by more people together or by one respondent more than once (Birnbaum, 2004).

I came to these criteria with regard to the established research question. The aim was to get such participants for the research who have experience with the researched topic. However, it could also be an experience with an earlier relationship. An important criterion with regard to the homogeneity of the sample was that it was an employed person who had personal experience with infidelity.

Research participants were able to complete the questionnaire located at www.google.drive.com for a period of two months, from 8 February 2021 to 10 March

2021. A period of 1 month was given for timely evaluation, but for collection the data proved to be quite sufficient - more than 70% of the data were collected during the first month.

Potential research participants were contacted via emails or social networks and, together with a request to complete a questionnaire, information on the purpose of the research and assurances of anonymity, were sent a link to www.google.drive.com, where they found the questionnaire. All their questions regarding the research were sent to the contact e-mail of the research author.

3.6 Data Analysis

Research data obtained via the Internet interface were transferred to MS Excel

2016, where they were further analyzed. In MS Excel, it was necessary to recode the data of selected variables from verbal to numerical form so that it could be analyzed in the statistical program Jamovi. The data was then checked. After a closer examination of the items, it was not necessary to exclude any respondents or items from the research, as the required criteria were met, and no item was left blank.

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4 Results

4.1 Demographic Variables

In the elementary data, 84 respondents stated (66.7%) they are in relationship, and

42 persons (33.3%) are single. At the same time, 110 respondents (87.3%) state that they have been in a committed relationship at least once in their lifetime and only 16 respondents (12.7%) state that they have not been in a committed relationship (see Table

3). A total of 32 people (45.9%) stated that they were single, 34 married (37.6%), 29 in committed relationship, 21 respondents stated that they cohabitate with their partner, 6 people were divorced (7.1%), 3 persons were separated, and 1 person was a widow or widower (see Table 6).

From the elementary data about the interviews, in addition to gender, age, relationship status, their interest in being in a lasting relationship, the duration of the last relationship and the experience of infidelity in a long-term relationship is also significant.

A total of 116 persons (92.8%) stated that they have an interest in being in a committed relationship and 9 (7.2%) that they do not have an Interest in being in a committed relationship, at the same time out of the total number of 126 respondents (100%) 110 of them (87.3%) stated they have been in a committed relationship and only 16 people

(12.7%) stated that they have never been in a committed relationship. A total of 55 respondents (44%) have replied that they have been in the past relationship for more than

5 years, 34 people (27.2%) replied that they have been between 2 to 5 years in the past relationship, 16 respondents (12.8%) replied they have been between 1 and 2 years in the past relationship, 12 of them (9.6%) replied they have been 6 months to 1 year in the past relationship and 8 respondents (6.4%) answered that they have been between 0 to 6 months in the past relationship. A total of 46 respondents (37.7%) have replied that they are in the current relationship for more than 5 years, 29 people (23.8%) replied that they

53 are between 2 to 5 years in the current relationship, 13 respondents (10.7%) replied they are between 1 and 2 years in the current relationship, 8 of them (6.6%) replied they are 6 months to 1 year in the current relationship and 26 respondents (21.3%) answered that they are between 0 to 6 months in current relationship. A total of 68 respondents (54.8%) have replied that they have been engaged in infidelity, 56 people (45.2%) responded that they have not been engaged in infidelity. A total of 66 respondents (53.2%) have replied that their partner has been engaged in infidelity, 58 people (46.8%) responded that that their partner have not been engaged in infidelity (see Table 4, Table 5, Table 7, Table 8,

Table 9 and Table 10).

Table 3

Relationship Status (Single or not) of Participants

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Yes 42 33.3 % 33.3 %

No 84 66.7 % 100.0 %

Table 4

Frequencies of Ever Being in a Committed Relationship

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Yes 110 87.3 % 87.3 %

No 16 12.7 % 100.0 %

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Table 5

Frequencies of Interest in Being in a Committed Relationship

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Yes 116 92.8 % 92.8 %

No 9 7.2 % 100.0 %

Table 6

Frequencies of Relationship Status

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Single 32 25.4 % 25.4 % Cohabitating 21 16.7 % 42.1 % In a committed relationship 29 23.0 % 65.1 % Married 34 27.0 % 92.1 % Separated 3 2.4 % 94.4 % Divorced 6 4.8 % 99.2 % Widowed/Widower 1 .8 % 100.0 %

Table 7

Frequencies of Length of Past Relationship

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

0 - 6 months 8 6.4 % 6.4 % 6 months to 1 year 12 9.6 % 16.0 % 1 - 2 years 16 12.8 % 28.8 % 2 - 5 years 34 27.2 % 56.0 % more than 5 years 55 44.0 % 100.0 %

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Table 8

Frequencies of Length of Current Relationship

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

0 - 6 months 26 21.3 % 21.3 % 6 months to 1 year 8 6.6 % 27.9 % 1 - 2 years 13 10.7 % 38.5 % 2 - 5 years 29 23.8 % 62.3 % more than 5 years 46 37.7 % 100.0 %

Table 9

Frequencies of Being Engaged in Infidelity

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Yes 68 54.8 % 54.8 %

No 56 45.2 % 100.0 %

Table 10

Frequencies of Having Their Partner Engaged in Infidelity

Levels Counts % of Total Cumulative %

Yes 66 53.2 % 53.2 %

No 58 46.8 % 100.0 %

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4.2 Descriptive Statistics and Normality

Satisfaction with life scores had a mean of 23.9 and a standard deviation of 6.18.

The minimum score was 5, and the maximum score was 34. Satisfaction with life scores were not normally distributed, according to the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality (see Table

11).

Table 11

Descriptive Statistics and Normality for Life satisfaction

SWLS

Mean 23.9 Standard deviation 6.18 Minimum 5.00 Maximum 34.0 Shapiro-Wilk p <.001

Secure attachment scores had a mean of 20.8 and a standard deviation of 4.46.

The minimum score was 8, and the maximum score was 30. Secure attachment scores were normally distributed, according to the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality (see Table 12).

Table 12

Descriptive Statistics and Normality for Secure attachment

Secure

Attachment

Mean 20.8 Standard deviation 4.46 Minimum 8.00 Maximum 30.0 Shapiro-Wilk p .107

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Anxious attachment scores had a mean of 16.9 and a standard deviation of 6.17.

The minimum score was 6, and the maximum score was 30. Anxious attachment scores were not normally distributed, according to the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality (see Table

13).

Table 13

Descriptive Statistics and Normality for Anxious Attachment

Anxious Attachment

Mean 16.9 Standard deviation 6.17 Minimum 6 Maximum 30 Shapiro-Wilk p .002

4.3 Testing of Hypotheses

To test hypothesis number one where we concentrated to find out if higher scores of secure attachments will predict higher levels of life satisfaction, while higher scores of anxious attachments will predict lower levels of life satisfaction, two linear regression tests were used. The first one had secure attachment as its predictor, while the second one had anxious attachment as its predictor. Both had satisfaction with life as the criterion variable.

For the first linear regression, there were no outliers, and the assumptions of independence, normality of residuals, linearity, and homoscedasticity, were not violated

(see Tables 14-16; see Figure 1, Appendix F). Higher scores on secure attachment significantly predicted higher scores on life satisfaction, t = 2.9, p = .004 (see Table 17).

For the second linear regression, there were no outliers, and the assumptions of independence, normality of residuals, linearity, and homoscedasticity, were not violated

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(see Tables 18-20; see Figure 2, Appendix F). Higher scores on anxious attachment significantly predicted lower scores on life satisfaction, t = 2.9, p = .004 (see Table 17).

Therefore, hypothesis one was confirmed, since secure attachment significantly predicted satisfaction with life, and anxious attachment inversely significantly predicted satisfaction with life.

Table 14

Cook's Distance – Secure Attachment Predicting Satisfaction with Life Range Mean Median SD Min Max

.00993 .00256 .0168 7.15e-8 .107

Table 15

Normality Test (Shapiro-Wilk) for Residuals

Statistic p

.974 .016

Table 16

Durbin–Watson Test for Autocorrelation

Autocorrelation DW Statistic p

.0404 1.90 .582

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Table 17

Model Coefficients – Secure Attachment Predicting Satisfaction with Life

Predictor Estimate SE t p

Intercept 16.64 2.56 6.50 < .0001 Secure Attachment 0.35 0.12 2.90 .0044

Table 18

Cook's Distance – Anxious Attachment Predicting Satisfaction

with Life

Range Mean Median SD Min Max

0.01 0.00 0.02 7.71e-6 0.14

Table 19

Normality Test (Shapiro-Wilk) for Residuals

Statistic p

0.98 .0234

Table 20

Durbin–Watson Test for Autocorrelation

DW Autocorrelation p Statistic

0.02 1.95 .7420

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Table 21

Model Coefficients - Anxious Attachment Predicting Satisfaction with Life

Predictor Estimate SE t p

Intercept 30.10 1.51 19.93 < .0001 Anxious Attachment -0.37 0.08 -4.36 < .0001

To test the second hypothesis that higher levels of infidelity significantly predict lower levels of life satisfaction, a linear regression was run. There were no outliers, and the assumptions of independence, linearity, and homoscedasticity, were not violated. The residuals were not normally distributed (see Tables 22-24; see Figure 3, Appendix F).

Results showed that infidelity did not significantly predicted scores on life satisfaction, p

= .8636 (see Table 25). Therefore, the second hypothesis was not confirmed.

Table 22

Cook's Distance – Infidelity Predicting Satisfaction with Life Range Mean Median SD Min Max

0.01 0.00 0.01 2.87e-7 0.06

Table 23

Durbin–Watson Test for Autocorrelation

Autocorrelation DW Statistic p

0.01 1.98 .9080

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Table 24

Normality Test (Shapiro-Wilk) for Residuals

Statistic p

0.95 < .0001

Table 25

Model Coefficients - Anxious Attachment Predicting Satisfaction with Life

Predictor Estimate SE t p

Intercept 30.10 1.51 19.93 < .0001 Anxious Attachment -0.37 0.08 -4.36 < .0001

To test the third hypothesis that life satisfaction will be lowest among those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners, a two-way between-subjects ANOVA was run.

According to Levene’s test of homogeneity of variances, the assumption of homogeneity of variances was not violated (p > .05) (see Table 26). Results showed an insignificant interaction effect, F (1, 119) = .186, p = .667 (see Table 27); moreover, those who have engaged in infidelity have a higher mean of life satisfaction (M = 25.1) than those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners (M = 23.2) (see Table 28). Therefore, the third hypothesis was not confirmed.

Table 26

Homogeneity of Variances Test (Levene's) for Satisfaction with Life

F df1 df2 p

1.34 3 119 .266

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Homogeneity of Variances Test (Levene's) for Satisfaction with Life

F df1 df2 p

Table 27

ANOVA – Satisfaction with Life Among Different Cheating Conditions

Sum of Mean df F p η² Squares Square

Have you engaged in 6.89 1 6.89 .177 .675 .001 infidelity? Has your SO engaged in 52.11 1 52.11 1.337 .250 .011 infidelity? Have you engaged in infidelity? ✻ Has your SO 7.27 1 7.27 .186 .667 .002 engaged in infidelity? Residuals 4639.15 119 38.98

Table 28

Estimated Marginal Means - Have you engaged in infidelity? ✻ Has your partner engaged in infidelity?

95% Confidence Interval Have you Has your partner engaged in engaged in Mean SE Lower Upper infidelity? infidelity?

Yes Yes 23.2 .901 21.4 25.0 No 23.2 1.472 20.3 26.1 No Yes 25.1 1.396 22.4 27.9 No 24.1 1.026 22.1 26.1

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A linear regression was run to test the fourth hypothesis, which states that infidelity and anxious attachment style will predict lower life satisfaction. There was no multicollinearity and no outliers and the assumptions of independence, linearity, and homoscedasticity, were not violated. The residuals were not normally distributed according to the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality, p < .05 (see Tables 29-32; see Figure 4,

Appendix F). Results showed that model, which includes infidelity and anxious attachment together, significantly predicted life satisfaction, F (2, 123) = 9.43, p < .001, and it explained 13.3% of the variability in life satisfaction, R2= .133 (see Table 33).

Additionally, anxious attachment inversely significantly predicted life satisfaction, with t = -4.34, p < .001, but infidelity did not, p > .05 (see Table 34). Therefore, hypothesis number four was partially confirmed.

Table 29

Collinearity Statistics for Anxious Attachment and Infidelity

VIF Tolerance

Anxious Attachment 1.00 1.00 PDIS 1.00 1.00

Table 30

Cook's Distance

Range

Mean Median SD Min Max

.00867 .00295 .0149 7.73e-6 .103

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Table 31

Durbin–Watson Test for Autocorrelation

Autocorrelation DW Statistic p

.0168 1.95 .746

Table 32

Normality Test (Shapiro-Wilk) for Residuals

Statistic p

.976 .024

Table 33

Model Fit Measures – Infidelity and Anxious Attachment

Overall Model Test

Model R R² Adjusted R² F df1 df2 p

1 .365 .133 .119 9.43 2 123 < .001

Table 34

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Model Coefficients – Anxious Attachment and Infidelity Predicting Satisfaction with

Life

Predictor Estimate SE t p

Intercept 30.17 2.52 11.98 < .0001 Anxious Attachment -0.37 0.08 -4.34 < .0001 PDIS -0.00 0.05 -0.03 .9729

The results of the study showed that participants are satisfied in their lives. More than 66% of them would not want to change anything in their lives, even if time went back, they would like to live their lives again as they have lived. To the question “Does infidelity predict different levels of life satisfaction among different attachment styles”, there were different answers in the questionnaires, mainly in what infidelity is and what is not. In the question “Engaging in sexual intercourse with someone who is not my romantic partner”, 98% of respondents agreed that this is infidelity, in contrast to the question “Lying to my romantic partner”, where 43% of respondents answered that it is not infidelity, and 57% respondents answered that it was infidelity. In contrast, to the question of whether “Withholding information from my romantic partner infidelity is or not, 66.4% of respondents answered that it was not infidelity, but 33.6% of respondents said yes. Also, to the question “Dating someone who is not my romantic partner”, 76.5% of respondents answered that it is infidelity. Regarding life satisfaction, respondents answered questions such as “in most ways my life is close to my ideal” 59% of respondents said that their life is closer to perfection.

Regarding the question if “the conditions of their life are excellent”, 70% of respondents stated that their conditions are excellent. When asked if the participants are satisfied with their life, 68% of them answered that they are satisfied with their current life. At the same time, 67% of respondents also state that so far, they have obtained the

66 important things they want in life. But what is interesting, in the last question, where we ask If they could live their lives over, they would change almost nothing, 32% of respondents said no and would like to change their lives, 18% said they do not know, and only 47% said they would not change anything in life. This fact can be attributed mainly to the current life situation of each of us, where each individual is affected by COVID and many of these people now work from home, have more time for their hobbies, spend much more time with their loved ones.

Regarding the adult attachment style, almost half of the respondents said that they often worry that other people don't really love them, more than half of the respondents said that at the same time that other people won't want to stay with them. On the other hand, almost 70% of respondents know that if they ever need help from other people, they will be there for them.

Given that more than half of the respondents have experience with infidelity, either on their own part or on the part of their current or former partners, adult attachment style is an important component of this research. Although most respondents fall into the secure attachment group, there is no such difference in anxious or avoidant attachment.

All three attachment styles do not have rapid spacing or differences. This way we could divide the group into 3 equal units. As the results show, people with secure and avoidant attachments are happy in their lives, but people with anxious attachments are no longer, people with anxious attachment style have stated that they are not even satisfied in their lives. For this reason, it can also be concluded that even in the adult life of individuals, attachment style is important because it develops and changes during life. Therefore, here we can answer the question whether infidelity predict different levels of life satisfaction among different attachment styles. As mentioned above, people with a different

67 attachment style are affected by the view of infidelity and life satisfaction. These are mainly adults with Anxious attachment style.

We did not find a clear answer to the research question whether life satisfaction is lower for those who do not engage in infidelity if their partners do engage in infidelity, mainly because the majority of respondents have lived a different lifestyle for more repetition. People do not go to work in the standard way, the lifestyle of the respondent has changed, there is a much lower risk of infidelity than in a normal state of life, when they meet their potential lover on a regular basis.

Consistent with the results of other studies, it has been statistically verified that a certain style of emotional attachment is associated with a significantly higher degree of satisfaction in a partnership than an uncertain style of emotional attachment. A close negative relationship was also found between relationship avoidance and partner satisfaction, but not between relationship anxiety and partner satisfaction. No connection was found between partner satisfaction and gender, type of relationship or its length.

As can already be seen from the answers to the previous question, today's society does not have much chance of infidelity and thus we can answer the next research question if infidelity predicts lower life satisfaction. Consistent with the results of other studies, it was statistically verified that people have a much lower degree of life satisfaction, which is why our study showed such a high score with life satisfaction.

On the contrary, according to the results for our study, it was confirmed that an anxious attachment style, coupled with infidelity, predict lower life satisfaction. The results showed that people with anxious attachment have the lowest life satisfaction coupled with infidelity. At the same time, these people considered infidelity a much wider range of what people with the secure or avoidant attachment style did not consider infidelity.

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5 Discussion

The aim of the research study was to statistically verify the relationship between an individual's emotional attachment and his life satisfaction. It was also determined whether and to what extent the infidelity affects life satisfaction and whether the style of emotional attachment, infidelity and life satisfaction are related. The basis for how relationships is established in the future is created in childhood. The key is the emotional bond that is formed between the child and the caregiver. Depending on the quality of this bond, we establish other relationships in life.

The presented master thesis is based on the processing of a data set from 126 respondents who are or have been in a committed relationship. Four statistical hypotheses were tested, of which two hypotheses were confirmed and two were declined. The results showed a significant relationship between the type of emotional attachment and life satisfaction. A certain style of emotional attachment is associated with a higher rate of life satisfaction than individuals with anxious attachment style, with respondents with anxious attachment style showing even lower life satisfaction than those with avoidant attachment style.

As expected, the link between life satisfaction and emotional attachment regardless of an individual's gender was statistically supported, where it was shown that people with a certain emotional attachment feel more satisfied in life than people with an uncertain emotional attachment. At the intrapsychic level, we can think about life satisfaction in

69 terms of emotional attachment in terms of desires, fears and defences that stem from internal work models. These affect the individual's feelings, thoughts, attitudes and behaviors, which are negatively reflected in the relationship with the partner in people with an uncertain style of emotional attachment. Interactions with a partner also play an important role in shaping satisfaction. It is assumed that people with a certain style of attachment are happier with each other, as they can express their love to another person

(or partner), better fulfil the need for closeness and at the same time respect the need for autonomy; better fulfil the need for intimacy, emotional support, a secure base and a safe haven; can approach the needs of the partner with respect; can communicate their needs and wishes better; they have more positive beliefs about the relationship and adapt better to the conditions of the relationship (Tucker et al., 1999). However, in order to open up in a relationship, one needs to have confidence in the relationship. Feelings of trust and closeness are also important for love to grow. In a satisfying intimate relationship, trust displaces anxiety and creates the freedom to be oneself, while freedom displaces the fear of losing affection. In popular and professional literature, one can find the claim that one should be able to love oneself in order to love others (Perel, 2019). However, as the theory of emotional attachment shows, in order to love oneself, one must first be loved (Tucker et al., 1999).

Based on negative experiences with an emotionally close person, people with an evasive style of emotional attachment have adopted behavioral deactivation strategies that, in an effort to protect themselves from relationship injuries, deactivate the emotional attachment system, whose primary goal is to seek closeness (Drigotas et al., 2001). This results in the emotional cooling of the individual, the need to distance oneself from the relationship, striving for independence and control, ignoring relationship needs and avoiding emotions, and thus finding another potential partner in the form of being

70 unfaithful to the current one (Kipnis, 1998). On the other hand, it has not been shown that people with a more anxious style of emotional attachment show predominantly low scores on the life satisfaction scale, which would indicate that they have achieved infidelity (Platt et al., 2008).

On the contrary, the research results did not show a statistically significant relationship between higher level of infidelity and lower levels of life satisfaction. The results of the research did not show a statistically significant relationship between lower life satisfaction among those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners. On the contrary, what the results showed is that infidelity and anxious attachment style predict lower life satisfaction.

The study by Wei et al. (2005) extends the previous finding that the certainty of emotional attachment is positively related to satisfaction with meeting mental needs, confirming the negative relationship between life satisfaction with meeting needs and shame, depression, and loneliness. Through structural modelling, these authors investigated whether the life satisfaction of university students with the fulfilment of basic psychological needs acts as a mediator between the dimensions of emotional attachment (avoidance, anxiety) and indicators of stress (shame, loneliness, and depression). Satisfaction with the fulfilment of psychological needs was partly mediated by the relationship between the anxious attachment style and all indicators of maladaptation, while the relation of Avoidant attachment style to shame, depression, and loneliness was completely mediated by life satisfaction with the fulfilment of needs.

Thus, life satisfaction with the fulfilment of psychological needs seems to be a mediator between avoidant attachment style and negative experience rather than a relationship with anxious attachment style. The authors interpret this finding through the use of models of themselves and others - people with a high level of anxiety have adopted a negative model

71 of themselves and rather suppress the fulfilment of their psychological needs, because they may believe that their open expression may be what makes them unworthy of close people. In contrast, there are people with a high level of avoidant attachment style who have formed a negative image of other people, which is consistent with the idea that other people may not even be able to meet their psychological needs, and so they rely more on themselves (Wei et al., 2005).

According to Bartholomew and Horowitz (1991), adults testify to a weak perception of their own value if having anxious attachment style. These people strive for self-acceptance and desire to improve their self-esteem through relationships with other people. They usually feel that others are hesitant about being as close to them as they want to be. Very often they worry about whether they are really loved and whether their partner will stay with them.

People with anxious attachment style have often concerns about the permanence of the relationship and prefer maximum closeness to merging with a partner. However, they may not receive this if their partner does not share these preferences (usually if one does not have an anxious attachment style). This failure to meet the needs of extreme closeness and the fears that result from an uncertain emotional bond are then reflected in the dissatisfaction of the individuals with anxious attachment style in this relationship. This dependence must also be seen from the other side. With declining satisfaction in a relationship and life satisfaction, the individual's anxiety increases. An individual's dissatisfaction in a relationship and life satisfaction may be the result of a decrease in the subjective perception of the quality of the relationship, in which partners may distance from each other, to which the individual may respond by increasing anxiety. Attachment style can help answer the question of how to maintain a better quality of a relationship over time, as well as understanding a wide range of dysfunctional behaviors that make a

72 relationship dissatisfied. The theory of attachment style applied to partnerships can be used in couple counselling as well as in couple therapy, which seeks to provide qualified assistance in resolving serious conflicts, achieve mutual harmony and ensure mutual satisfaction of the needs of both partners. Inadequately fulfilled needs and problematic patterns of behavior are a key topic in the theory of attachment style, which also connects individual characteristics of a person with the dynamics of a partnership.

5.1 Summary of Findings

A total of 126 respondents completed the survey using questionnaires. For this work, it is a sufficient number from which certain conclusions can be drawn. The results showed that people are satisfied, and the highest number of respondents fell into the secure attachment style. Most people consider sex in any form to be infidelity, but for a significant percentage of people, heavy petting / fondling is also infidelity. The prevailing view is that more men than women have an experience of infidelity, but this research has shown that both sexes have experienced infidelity in the same way either in previous or in current relationships. According to the survey, infidelity is generally slightly more widespread today than in the past and is not considered a serious social problem.

The study showed that there is a relationship between adult attachment styles but there is no relationship between infidelity and life satisfaction. Also, infidelity does not make people who have been cheating or cheated less satisfied with their lives.

This thesis deals with the issue of infidelity. Given that there is an inexhaustible amount of theoretical knowledge on the topic and many experts have already commented on what causes infidelity, the aim of the work was to focus primarily on how infidelity is perceived and explained to the general population and how they see it in connection with life satisfaction and adult attachments styles. From the number of participants who completed in this survey, the above conclusions can be drawn, but it is not possible to

73 draw generally valid conclusions throughout the company, as this would have to be an order of magnitude larger.

5.2 Discussion of the Results of the Hypotheses

Linear regression was used to test the hypothesis of a higher level of life satisfaction in people with a certain emotional attachment style than in people with anxious attachment style (H1). The relationship between the attachment style and life satisfaction was demonstrated on the correlation matrix for secure attachment (r = .252, p = .004) and for anxious attachment style (r = -.365, p <.001), which indicates the significance of the result. The hypothesis was therefore confirmed. Perceived life satisfaction of people with a secure attachment style (M = 20.8, SD = 4.46) is significantly higher than satisfaction of people with anxious attachment style (M = 16.9, SD = 6.17).

However, the observed magnitude of the effect is small. The median life satisfaction of people with avoidant attachment style is 21, people with anxious attachment style is 16.5.

To find the connection between the individual dimensions of adult attachment style and life satisfaction there is a weak relationship between higher level of infidelity and lower level of life satisfaction, (H2). As the study of McNulty et al. (2018) shows, life satisfaction does not affect whether a partner will be faithful or unfaithful, but what is important if a partner is satisfied with in the relationship than with themselves. Perel

(2019) points out that when people are unfaithful, they feel like there is an increase in self-confidence, an exciting feeling of risking and experiencing something completely new, which is associated with new and often unknown emotions.

Between life satisfaction and those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners there was no statistically significant relationship demonstrated. Life satisfaction hardly correlates with those who are faithful but have unfaithful partners (H3). Therefore, the hypothesis was not confirmed. It turned out that women have experienced infidelity as

74 often as men, whether in the position of cheating, being cheated on, or both, which would mean that men are as often as unfaithful women, and it does not have an impact on life satisfaction. This would dispel the myth of male promiscuity and confirm those theories that, in fact, the number of unfaithful men is not higher than the number of unfaithful women, but virtually the same (Brand et al., 2007). In addition, the data obtained show that the number of unfaithful women is even slightly higher than that of unfaithful men, but this difference did not prove to be statistically significant. Earlier findings suggest that active infidel men and passive faithful women are typical (Buss, 1997).

The linear regression test verified the assumption that infidelity and anxious attachment style will predict lower life satisfaction (H4). As the statistical values show, there is a significant difference in the values on the and anxious attachment style scale, but not for infidelity. Therefore, the hypothesis was partially confirmed. As a study of

Finchman (2017) agrees with our results, attachment style plays a big role in life satisfaction. Infidelity does not affect a person’s life satisfaction, but it is clear that when there is other than secure attachment style, people are less satisfied with themselves or with their lives. And that can lead also to dissatisfaction in interpersonal relationships

(Finchman, 2017).

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6 Conclusion

This work concentrates in more detail with partner infidelity and life satisfaction among the adult attachment style. Partnership infidelity has been part of human communities since time immemorial and is still widespread today.

The theoretical part deals with the history of infidelity, which points to different attitudes towards infidelity throughout history. The work distinguishes between the types of infidelity, the causes and motivations for which infidelity arises, infidelity in the workplace and the reasons why it arises there as well. It also deals in more detail with the personality characteristics of people who are prone to unfaithful behavior. At the same time, it deals with life satisfaction in terms of relationship and overall satisfaction with life. The theoretical part describes the relationship between life satisfaction and infidelity, why the satisfaction of an individual in life is affected by infidelity. The chapter on the impact of infidelity on individual and relationship deals with how infidelity affects not only the individual but also the whole society and especially the relationship between two people. In the end, the problem and view of different types of attachment style in adulthood are described, how it develops and how it is influenced by every of an individual's life. The relationship between adult attachment style and infidelity is explained here, and a year of infidelity develops, and people attach it most to a egg attachment.

The theoretical part shows that most people today are faithful to the traditional monogamous union, but compared to history, less often there is only one life partner.

Motivation for infidelity can be sexual needs or the specific situation in which a person

76 finds himself and life satisfaction does not play a major role. Partners’ infidelity can have a devastating effect on the human psyche. Mental crisis caused by a partner's infidelity can cause anxiety and depression, and various somatic problems can also be a common problem. Personal expectations from relationships show that women are more likely to demand emotional values, while men in a relationship place more emphasis on external behavior. An important role in an individual's future relationships is played by his or her primary family.

The practical part consists of a questionnaire survey and its subsequent evaluation.

The results showed that every second respondent has experience with infidelity. Most respondents consider sexual intercourse and heavy petting with someone who is not their romantic partner to be infidelity. The survey showed the prevailing subconscious view of life dissatisfaction, but my survey revealed the opposite fact that people are currently quite satisfied with their lives and would not want to change anything about it. As for secure attachment, my investigation revealed that this style of attachment is the most common, but only 2%, then the anxious attachment and another 2% than the avoidant attachment style. The research shows that adult attachment styles are very close and none of them predominates in this group of respondents. Although life satisfaction turned out to be above average positive, the adult attachment scale turned out to be the same in all three groups of the attachment style. It follows that attachment style does not change depending on short-term life changes as well as changes in life satisfaction.

The above conclusions can be drawn from the survey of this master thesis, but it is not possible to draw generally valid conclusions for the whole society, as the number of respondents would have to be an order of magnitude larger and the whole survey much larger.

77

The general issue of partner infidelity is addressed by many experts who have written a large number of books on infidelity, as it involves a wide range of problems, with a number of questions and answers related to partnership and infidelity. For this reason, not all topics related to infidelity can be covered in this thesis. Another factor belongs to the current situation in that the research was carried out under unusual circumstances of all study participants.

6.1 Limitations

One of the main limitations of the work is the fact that the measurement of life satisfaction and adult attachment style took place only at one time. Therefore, it is not possible to decide whether a certain style of attachment has a long-term impact on experiencing life satisfaction and infidelity. The effect of attachment style on life satisfaction is better affected by longitudinal studies.

It should also be emphasized that an individual's ability to maintain stable relationships cannot be assessed solely on the basis of knowledge of the length of the current relationship. However, the aim of this work was not to map the detailed relational history of the individual. The aim was to address this shortcoming at least by finding out about previous partnerships. However, the results did not reveal any evidence that the length of the partnership or the number of previous partnerships were related to adult attachment styles.

A certain interpretive limitation also lies in the fact that the data were obtained only from the life satisfaction questionnaire. People may be happy with their lives, but they may not be happy with their work or with their relationship. As mentioned in the theory section, infidelity can also arise out of boredom, and this is not statistically examined at all in this study.

78

Another limitation lies in the heterogenous distribution where individuals work, as the respondents come only from large corporate companies. Although there is the greatest accumulation of people in there, it would be good to provide questioning and research even in small companies.

Another limitation is that the respondents are only from the Czech Republic, working for foreign companies; a total of 126 respondents participated in the survey, and this is still a low number for such a survey.

A further limitation of this work is also the fact that questionnaires were completed in a period of hard lock down due to COVID 19 and respondents are logically affected by this fact, so it is not entirely statistically significant what would be life satisfaction in the normal life of individuals.

6.2 Recommendations for Future Research

Next steps of this research could focus on finding other respondents working in a different range of companies, and focus not only on the Czech Republic, but also globally.

Furthermore, it would be appropriate to focus on a longer period of time, when the world is not going through any crisis, so that the results are more objective. The effect between partners in connection with emotional attachment and the possibility of changing the emotional attachment style of one partner by interacting with the emotional attachment style of the other partner could also be interesting.

To further expand this work, it would certainly be very interesting to focus on the development of partnerships, which were marked by infidelity of one of them. At the same time, it would be very interesting to study life satisfaction connected with infidelity during normal circumstances in life without any restrictions on humans’ freedom and when people go to work every day as they used to in the past.

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Appendicies

Appendix A

Informed Contest Form

1. Summary: This research study seeks to understand how infidelity in the workplace together with different personality traits derived from childhood effect life satisfaction.

2. Your right to withdraw/discontinue: You are free to ask questions or to discontinue your participation at any time without penalty. You may also skip any survey questions or study procedures that make you feel uncomfortable.

3. Benefits: Participation in this research study does not guarantee any benefits to you. However, possible benefits include the fact that you may learn something about how research studies are conducted, and you may learn something about this area of research (i.e., life satisfaction, attachment style, infidelity and the effect of love affairs in the workplace).

4. Additional information: You will be given additional information about the study after your participation is complete.

5. Time commitment: If you agree to participate in the study, it may take up to 20 minutes to complete the survey.

6. Guarantee of Confidentiality: All data from this study will be kept from inappropriate disclosure and will be accessible only to the researcher and the

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supervisor. The researcher and the supervisor are not interested in anyone’s individual responses, only the average responses of everyone in the study. All responses and data are anonymous.

7. Risks: The present research is designed to reduce the possibility of any negative experiences as a result of participation. Risks to participants are kept to a minimum. However, if your participation in this study causes you any concerns, anxiety, or distress, please visit the Psychology Today website, “Find the therapist” section directory here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists or Nevypust dusi (in Czech language only): http://nevypustdusi.cz/kde-hledat-pomoc/ to find a help and/or a therapist and make an appointment to discuss your concerns.

8. Researcher Contact Information: This research study is being conducted by Vladislava Vaverová for a master’s thesis research. The thesis supervisor is Vartan Agopian, PhD., lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of New York in Prague. If you have questions or concerns about your participation in this study, you may contact the researcher at [email protected].

9. Results of the Study: You may obtain information about the outcome of the study at the end of the Spring 2021 semester by contacting the researcher listed above.

10. Personal Copy of Consent Form: You may print a blank, unsigned copy of this consent form at the beginning of the study.

11. Verification of Adult Age: By clicking “I Agree” below, you attest that you are 18 years old or older.

12. Verification of Informed Consent: By clicking “I Agree” below, you indicate that you have freely consented to participate in this research study.

☐ I am 18 years old or older

☐ I Agree, I have freely consented to participate in this research study

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Appendix B Demographics questionnaire

1. Which of the following best describes your age range? (1 = Under 18; 2 = 18-24; 3 = 25-34; 4 = 35-44; 5 =45-54; 6 = 55-64; 7 = 65-74; 8 = 75-84) 2. What was your sex assigned at birth? (1 = male; 2 = female; 3 = other gender identity; 4 = prefer not to say) 3. What gender do you identify as? (1 = male; 2 = female; 3 = other gender identity; 4 = prefer not to say) 4. Are you single? Yes/No 5. Have you ever been in a committed relationship? Yes/No 6. Do you have any interest in being in a committed relationship now or in the future? Yes/No 7. Which of the following best describes your current relationship status? (1= Married; 2 = Cohabiting; 3 = In a committed relationship; 4 = Widowed/Widower; 5 = Divorced; 6 = Separated) 8. Which of the following best describes the length of your most significant past committed relationship? (1 = 0-6 months; 2 = 6 months to 1 year; 3 = 1-2 years; 4 = 2-5 years; 5 = more than 5 years)

9. Which of the following best describes how long you have been in your current relationship?

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(1 = 0-6 months; 2 = 6 months to 1 year; 3 = 1-2 years; 4 = 2-5 years; 5 = more than 5 years)

10. Have you ever engaged in what the rules of your relationship would consider to be infidelity? Yes/No 11. Have you ever been in a relationship in which your significant other engaged in what the rules of your relationship would consider to be infidelity? Yes/No

Appendix C

Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale

The following statements reflect different behaviors. We are looking for how individuals perceive or determine which behaviors are considered to be infidelity. Your responses should be based on how you react to each statement. Respond to each statement by rating (1-6) to what degree (1 = never cheating; 6 = always cheating) you think they represent infidelity.

Question Item 1 = never cheating 6= always

cheating

Hugging someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Engaging in oral sex with someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Withholding information from my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Talking on the phone or Internet with someone who is not my romantic 1 2 3 4 5 6 partner

Dating someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Buying and/or receiving gifts for and/or from someone who is not my 1 2 3 4 5 6 romantic partner

Engaging in sexual intercourse with someone who is not my romantic 1 2 3 4 5 6 partner

Dancing with someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

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Lying to my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Heavy petting/fondling with someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Eating or drinking with someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Going places with someone who is not my romantic partner 1 2 3 4 5 6

Appendix D

Satisfaction with Life Scale

Below are five statements that you may agree or disagree with. Using the 1 - 7 scale below, indicate your agreement with each item by placing the appropriate number on the line preceding that item. Please be open and honest in your responding.

7 - Strongly agree

6 - Agree

5 - Slightly agree = Disagree

4 - Neither agree nor disagree

3 - Slightly disagree

2 - Disagree

1 - Strongly disagree

Question Item 1 = Strongly disagree 7= strongly agree

In most ways my life is close to my ideal. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The conditions of my life are excellent. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

I am satisfied with my life. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

So far, I have gotten the important things I want in life. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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If I could live my life over, I would change almost 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 nothing.

Appendix E

Adult Attachment Scale

The following questions concern how you generally feel in important close relationships in your life. Think about your past and present relationships with people who have been especially important to you, such as family members, romantic partners, and close friends. Respond to each statement in terms of how you generally feel in these relationships. Please use the scale below by placing a number between 1 and 5 in the space provided to the right of each statement.

Question Item 1 = Strongly disagree 5 = Strongly agree I find it relatively easy to get close to people. 1 2 3 4 5 I find it difficult to allow myself to depend on others. 1 2 3 4 5 I often worry that other people don't really love me. 1 2 3 4 5 I find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. 1 2 3 4 5 I am comfortable depending on others. 1 2 3 4 5 I don’t worry about people getting too close to me. 1 2 3 4 5 I find that people are never there when you need them 1 2 3 4 5 I am somewhat uncomfortable being close to others. 1 2 3 4 5 I often worry that other people won’t want to stay with me. 1 2 3 4 5 When I show my feelings for others, I'm afraid they will not feel the 1 2 3 4 5 same about me. I often wonder whether other people really care about me. 1 2 3 4 5 I am comfortable developing close relationships with others. 1 2 3 4 5 I am uncomfortable when anyone gets too emotionally close to me. 1 2 3 4 5 I know that people will be there when I need them. 1 2 3 4 5 I want to get close to people, but I worry about being hurt. 1 2 3 4 5 I find it difficult to trust others completely. 1 2 3 4 5 People often want me to be emotionally closer than I feel comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 being.

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I am not sure that I can always depend on people to be there when I need 1 2 3 4 5 them.

Appendix F

Figures

Figure 1

Scatterplot for Linearity and Homoscedasticity for Secure Attachment Predicting

Satisfaction with Life

Figure 2

Scatterplot for Linearity and Homoscedasticity for Anxious Attachment Predicting

Satisfaction with Life

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Figure 3

Scatterplot for Linearity and Homoscedasticity for Infidelity Predicting Satisfaction with Life

Figure 4

Scatterplot for Linearity and Homoscedasticity for Infidleity and Anxious Attachment

Predicting Satisfaction with Life

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