Irrational, silent, distant, and unfaithful: Propensity towards infidelity as predicted by irrational romantic relationship beliefs, self-silencing, and emotional intimacy

Irrational romantic relationship beliefs negatively affect various relational aspects; however, their association with infidelity has not been thoroughly explored. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to investigate the link between irrational romantic relationship beliefs and propensity towards infidelity. Additionally, we examined the roles of one individual emotional factor (i.e., self-silencing) and one relationship characteristic (i.e., emotional intimacy) in this association. A sample of 317 Romanians in committed relationships, aged between 18 and 64 ( M = 33.39, SD = 12.60), completed measures of irrational romantic relationship beliefs, self-silencing, emotional intimacy, propensity towards infidelity, and personal and relationship demographics. The results of the serial mediation analysis (PROCESS, Model 6) revealed a significant indirect effect whereby stronger irrational romantic relationship beliefs are related to higher self-silencing tendencies, which are associated with reduced emotional intimacy and further linked to a higher propensity towards infidelity. The indirect effect through emotional intimacy alone was also significant. Given the cross-sectional nature of the data, findings should be interpreted as correlational rather than causal. Overall, these associations reflect distinct individual and relational processes through which dysfunctional relationship cognitions may be linked to propensity towards infidelity.