Morality in romantic relationships: The role of moral disengagement in relationship satisfaction, definitions of infidelity, and committed cheating

IF 1.8 4区心理学 Q2 COMMUNICATION

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Pub Date : 2024-05-15 DOI:10.1111/pere.12552

Verena Aignesberger, Tobias Greitemeyer

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Despite the moral condemnation of infidelity in romantic relationships, its prevalence remains widespread. This might be partly explained by moral disengagement (MD), the ability to decouple one's actions from internalized moral standards. While social influences are an inherent part of the conceptualization of MD, they have not been studied in romantic couples. We investigated connections between MD and relationship satisfaction, cheating definitions, and cheating in a sample of 236 dating and married couples. Partners' levels of MD were positively correlated. Actor‐Partner‐Interdependence Models (APIMs) revealed negative actor and partner effects of MD on relationship satisfaction. MD was not connected to which behaviors are seen as cheating, but there were positive actor and partner effects on committed self‐defined cheating. Additionally, individuals high in MD suspected their partners to cheat more. These results indicate a gap between moral beliefs and moral actions. Individuals high in MD do not necessarily deny cheating on their partner but rather choose not to follow their inner moral compass.

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浪漫关系中的道德：道德脱离在关系满意度、不忠定义和承诺出轨中的作用

尽管从道德上谴责恋爱关系中的不忠行为，但这种现象仍然普遍存在。造成这种现象的部分原因可能是道德脱离（MD），即一个人的行为与内在道德标准脱钩的能力。虽然社会影响是 MD 概念化的固有组成部分，但在恋爱情侣中还没有对其进行过研究。我们以 236 对约会和已婚夫妇为样本，调查了 MD 与关系满意度、出轨定义和出轨之间的联系。伴侣的 MD 水平呈正相关。演员-伴侣-相互依赖模型（APIMs）显示，演员和伴侣的 MD 对关系满意度有负面影响。MD 与哪些行为被视为出轨无关，但对承诺的自我定义的出轨行为有正向的行为者和伴侣效应。此外，MD 值高的人更怀疑其伴侣出轨。这些结果表明道德信念与道德行为之间存在差距。MD 高的个体并不一定否认对伴侣的欺骗，而是选择不遵循他们内心的道德指南针。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Multiple-

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

6.20%

发文量

期刊介绍： Personal Relationships, first published in 1994, is an international, interdisciplinary journal that promotes scholarship in the field of personal relationships using a wide variety of methodologies and throughout a broad range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, communication studies, anthropology, family studies, child development, social work, and gerontology. The subject matter and approach of Personal Relationships will be of interest to researchers, teachers, and practitioners. Manuscripts examining a wide range of personal relationships, including those between romantic or intimate partners, spouses, parents and children, siblings, classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and friends are welcome.