Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Neil McBride

Abstract

The rate of families being impacted by divorce is high. Studies show that infidelity remains the number one cause of divorce or the dissolution of relationships; however, couples with a higher level of emotional intelligence (EI) have demonstrated a higher rate of marital satisfaction.The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to determine if gender, EI, ethnicity, and age, individually or in combination, can adequately predict infidelity among persons in committed, heterosexual, monogamous relationships. EI theory served as the theoretical foundation for this study. Using an online survey methodology, each participant answered four qualifying questions and, when qualified, took the Schutte Self-Report Inventory test, a 33-question instrument designed to measure a person’s EI level and provide data for the other predictor variables. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data and answer the research questions. The statistically significant results, c2(6) = 23.25, p < .01 for the omnibus test of model fit showed that the combined effect of all six predictors significantly predicted whether a person committed infidelity or not. The results also demonstrated that marriage versus cohabitating was a significant factor in whether a person committed infidelity or not.? This study showed that infidelity negatively impacts everyone in a variety of ways. Helping to predict, prevent, and heal from infidelity will affect positive social change by reducing the negative long-term effects of infidelity for couples, families, and those professional helpers working with this community.

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