Del Apego Adulto a la Infidelidad Sexual: Un Análisis de Mediación Múltiple

Abstract

A large proportion of couples experience infidelity issues, which substantially impact the quality of life of its members, their families, and society. Although numerous studies have found a positive association between insecure attachment and infidelity, less is known about the variables that may mediate this link. In this context, the objective of this study was to clarify the association between adult attachment and sexual infidelity, considering 3 possible mediators: participants’ satisfaction with their couple relationships and their perception of the positive and negative consequences of infidelity. A convenience sample of 403 university students was obtained at a public university in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Participants’ age ranged from 18 to 69 years (M = 28.05, SD = 8.69). Adult attachment was measured with the Experiences in Close Relationships instrument, relationship satisfaction with the Couples Satisfaction Index, and sexual infidelity and the positive and negative consequences of infidelity with the Multidimensional Inventory of Infidelity. Results indicated that both avoidant and anxious attachment were positively correlated with sexual infidelity and that this association was largely mediated –according to a path analysis model with bootstrapping– by relationship satisfaction and a positive perception of the consequences of infidelity. These results are examined upon the basis of attachment theory. Lastly, future lines of research are proposed.