The Relationship Between Infidelity and Conflict Propensity in Romantic Relationships: A Meta-Analytic Study

Serhan Doğan

doi:10.62416/ijwb-86

Authors

Serhan Doğan Swiss Montreux Business School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62416/ijwb-86

Keywords:

Romantic Relationships, Tendency to Cheat, Tendency to Conflict, Meta-Analysis, Culture

Abstract

This meta-analytic research was conducted to determine the strength of the relationship between cheating tendency and conflict tendency in romantic relationships and the moderating factors affecting this relationship. A total of 25 independent studies (N = 9754) from the Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were included in the analysis as a result of a comprehensive literature review . Coding framework; bibliographic references, sample size, correlation coefficient (r), cultural structure (individualist/collectivist), type of publication, year of publication, and type of conflict scale used. The results of the analysis showed a positive, moderate, and statistically significant relationship between the tendency to deceive and the tendency to conflict (r = 0.252, 95% CI [0.233, 0.271]). Within the scope of moderator analysis; cultural structure (Individualist vs. Collectivist) created a significant difference on the relationship, and the relationship was stronger (r = 0.276) in individualist cultures. It was determined that the year of publication and the type of conflict scale used were also significant moderators affecting the strength of the relationship. The findings validate the critical role of conflict management skills in relationship fidelity through a global dataset.

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