Attachment Insecurity and Infidelity in Marriage: Psychological Pathways and Clinical Implications

This study focuses on infidelity psychology in married couples. The measure of infidelity was relative to attachment styles, marital satisfaction, commitment to relationships, and infidelity attitudes. Standardized instruments, including the Investment Model Scale, Attitudes Toward Infidelity Scale, Adult Attachment Scale, and Infidelity Scale, were used to collect data. The findings indicated that attitudes toward infidelity and anxious and avoidant attachment strategies were positively related to infidelity. In contrast, infidelity was negatively correlated with greater marital bliss and devotion. The mediation analysis revealed the mediating role of anxious and avoidant attachment styles between psychological variables and infidelity. These findings highlight the roles of personality inclination and emotional insecurity in infidelity. This study highlights the need to address attachment issues to reduce the risk of infidelity. Further, the implications for future studies and treatment modalities are discussed.Infidelity; anxious attachment; avoidant attachment; marital satisfaction; relationship commitment; family systems, emotional insecurity.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Published
2026-09-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2026.2725777
Primary Topic
Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Attachment Insecurity and Infidelity in Marriage: Psychological Pathways and Clinical Implications

Sadia Malik, Iqra Iftikhar
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
article

Attachment Insecurity and Infidelity in Marriage: Psychological Pathways and Clinical Implications

Sadia Malik, Iqra Iftikhar
article en

Abstract

This study focuses on infidelity psychology in married couples. The measure of infidelity was relative to attachment styles, marital satisfaction, commitment to relationships, and infidelity attitudes. Standardized instruments, including the Investment Model Scale, Attitudes Toward Infidelity Scale, Adult Attachment Scale, and Infidelity Scale, were used to collect data. The findings indicated that attitudes toward infidelity and anxious and avoidant attachment strategies were positively related to infidelity. In contrast, infidelity was negatively correlated with greater marital bliss and devotion. The mediation analysis revealed the mediating role of anxious and avoidant attachment styles between psychological variables and infidelity. These findings highlight the roles of personality inclination and emotional insecurity in infidelity. This study highlights the need to address attachment issues to reduce the risk of infidelity. Further, the implications for future studies and treatment modalities are discussed.Infidelity; anxious attachment; avoidant attachment; marital satisfaction; relationship commitment; family systems, emotional insecurity.

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
University of Sargodha (PK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
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Attachment Insecurity and Infidelity in Marriage: Psychological Pathways and Clinical Implications — Sadia Malik, Iqra Iftikhar · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS