University of Nevada, Reno Family Background and Propensity to Engage in Infidelity: Exploring an Intergenerational Transmission of Infidelity A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Psychology by Dana A. Weiser Dr. Daniel J. Weigel/Dissertation Advisor May, 2012 © by Dana A. Weiser 2012 All Rights Reserved THE GRADUATE SCHOOL We recommend that the dissertation prepared under our supervision by DANA A. WEISER entitled Family Background And Propensity To Engage In Infidelity: Exploring An Intergenerational Transmission Of Infidelity be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Daniel J. Weigel, Ph.D., Advisor Colleen I. Murray, Ph.D., Committee Member Heidi R. Riggio, Ph.D., Committee Member Gwen A. Hullman, Ph.D., Committee Member Melissa M. Burnham, Ph.D., Graduate School Representative Marsha H. Read, Ph. D., Dean, Graduate School May, 2012 i ABSTRACT The purpose of the current dissertation project was to explore whether the experience of a parental infidelity is associated with a greater likelihood of offspring having engaged in infidelity, as well as test a theoretical model grounded in social learning theory to help explain why such intergenerational infidelity patterns may exist. Results revealed that the experience of a parental infidelity is positively associated with a number of infidelity behaviors. Structural equation modeling revealed support for the theoretical model in that the experience of a parental infidelity was related to offspring’s reports of having received negative messages about fidelity and faithfulness, and positive messages about infidelity from their family-of-origin. These family communications were then positively associated with more permissive infidelity beliefs, which in turn were associated with higher levels of infidelity behavior. Similar patterns emerged for both males and females, although it appeared that the experience of a father infidelity is also directly related to son’s infidelity behavior. To an extent, participants who reported that their parents remained married following an infidelity indicated more favorable infidelity beliefs and higher levels of infidelity behavior. Attachment style and age when offspring first suspected infidelity were unrelated to infidelity behavior. Based on these findings, it is recommended that additional research is undertaken to further explain an intergenerational transmission of infidelity, and that clinicians and relationship educators address family background experiences when attempting to treat and prevent infidelity. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Several individuals deserve recognition for helping to develop and ensure the timely execution of this dissertation project. I must thank my advisor and committee chair, Dr. Daniel Weigel, for his constant guidance and support, as well as his meticulous and thoughtful editing. Huge thanks are also due to my committee members, Drs. Colleen Murray, Gwen Hullman, and Melissa Burnham, who have all been mentors throughout this process and my doctoral program. I must also thank committee member Dr. Heidi Riggio, who supervised my first research project as an undergraduate student and allowed me to discover my love of the research process. I would also like to thank my loving family and amazing friends; your constant support, humor, and commiseration has helped make this all possible. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………………………………....1 Overview of Dissertation……………………………………………………..…...6 Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………….…………………………………......8 Infidelity…………………………………………………………………..……....8 Prevalence of Infidelity………………………………………………………...9 Consequences and Outcomes following Infidelity……………………………11 Gender and Infidelity………………………………………………………….14 Attachment and Infidelity……………………………………………………..16 Additional Predictors of and Justifications for Infidelity...…………….......…18 Overview of Intergenerational Transmission Patterns………..……………….....22 Family Patterns and Romantic Relationships……………………....….….......23 Patterns of Infidelity…………………………………………………………..24 Social Learning Theory…..……………………………………………..…….26 Introduction of Theory……………………………………………………...…27 Messages from Family………………………………………………………...29 Social Learning and the Intergenerational Transmission of Infidelity………..32 Social Learning and Gender…………………………………………………..35 Outcome of Parental Infidelity………………………………………………..39 Social Learning, Age, and Developmental Stage……………………………..40 The Current Project……………………………………………………………....41 Overview of Hypotheses and Research Questions…...……………………….42 Chapter 3: Method…………….…………………………………………..…..………..46 Preliminary Findings……………………………………………………………..46 Dissertation Study………………………………………………………………..49 Participants…………………………………………………………………….49 Materials and Procedure………………………………………………………50 Data Assumptions……………………………………………………………..59 Chapter 4: Results………………………………………………………………………60 Comparing Participants across Locations and Age……………………………...60 Multivariate Analyses……………………………………………………………61 Measurement Models……………………………………………………………72 Structural Equation Models……………………………………………………...80 Chapter 5: Discussion…………………………………………………………………..93 Parent Infidelity, Family Communication, Infidelity Beliefs and Behaviors……94 Attachment Style and Infidelity Behaviors……………………………………..101 Social Learning Theory and Infidelity Patterns………………………………...103 Gender and Infidelity Patterns………………………………………………….107 Characteristics of Parent Infidelity, Infidelity Beliefs and Behaviors………….115 Strengths, Limitations, and Future Directions………………………………….118 Implications.........................................................................................................125 Conclusion…………………………...…………………………………………127 iv References………………………………………..………………………………….…129 Tables…………………………………………………………………………………..153 Figures………………………………………….………………………………………174 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………..182 Appendix A: Specific Hypotheses and Data Analysis ………………...……….182 Appendix B: Dissertation Survey…………….………………………………...185 v LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Means, Standard Deviations, and ANOVAs for Variables of Interest by Location Table 2: Frequencies and Logistic Regressions for Variables of Interest by Location Table 3: Correlations among Family Variables, Infidelity and Sexuality Beliefs, and Attachment Style Table 4: MANOVAs for Messages from Family, Family Communication, and Infidelity and Sexuality Beliefs as a Function of Parental Infidelity Table 5: MANOVAs for Messages from Family, Family Communication, and Infidelity and Sexuality Beliefs as a Function of Maternal Infidelity Table 6: MANOVAs for Messages from Family, Family Communication, and Infidelity and Sexuality Beliefs as a Function of Paternal Infidelity Table 7: Multiple Regressions of Messages from Family and Family Communication on Infidelity and Sexuality Beliefs Table 8: MANOVAs for Infidelity Beliefs, Sexuality Beliefs, and Attachment as a Function of Ever Cheated Table 9: MANOVAs for Infidelity Beliefs, Sexuality Beliefs, and Attachment as a Function of Sexual Infidelity in the Last Two Years Table 10: Multiple Regressions of Infidelity Beliefs and Sexuality Beliefs on Number of Sexual Infidelity Episodes and Partners Table 11: MANOVAs for Infidelity Beliefs, Sexuality Beliefs, and Sexual Infidelity Episodes and Partners as a Function of Gender Table 12: MANOVAs for Infidelity Beliefs and Sexuality Beliefs as a Function of Parent Infidelity Outcome Table 13: Regressions of Age When Suspected Parental Infidelity on Infidelity Beliefs, Sexuality Beliefs, and Infidelity Behavior Table 14: Final Structural Equation Model with Parental Infidelity as Exogenous Variable Table 15: Final Structural Equation Model with Mother and Father Infidelity as Exogenous Variables vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Proposed Theoretical Model Figure 2: Percentages of Offspring Infidelity Figure 3: Structural Equation Model for All Participants with Parent Infidelity as Exogenous Variable Figure 4: Structural Equation Model for Males with Parent Infidelity as Exogenous Variable Figure 5: Structural Equation Model for Females with Parent Infidelity as Exogenous Variable Figure 6: Structural Equation Model for All Participants with Mother and Father Infidelity as Exogenous Variables Figure 7: Structural Equation Model for Males with Mother and Father Infidelity as Exogenous Variables Figure 8: Structural Equation Model for Females with Mother and Father Infidelity as Exogenous Variables 1 Chapter 1: Introduction Infidelity is defined as emotional, sexual, or romantic behaviors which violate the commitment norms of an exclusive romantic relationship (Glass, 2002) and may be considered the prototypical relationship transgression because it is a flagrant breach of most individuals’ monogamous relationship expectations (Afifi, Falato, & Weiner, 2001). Despite the clear social norms against infidelity a great number of individuals engage in cheating behaviors in the United States. Approximately 75% of male college students and 68% of female college students reported engaging in dating or sexual infidelity behavior (Wiederman & Hurd, 1999) whereas 20-40% of married men and 20-25% of married women reported engaging in infidelity behavior (Whisman & Snyder, 2007). Infidelity is therefore a unique type of behavior in that individuals condemn it, yet simultaneously a high number of individuals engage in the behavior. This inconsistency between norms and behavior is disheartening because infidelity