The Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in Predicting Legitimacy, Seduction, Normalization, Sexuality, Social Background, and Sensation Seeking in Marital Infidelity

Objective: Marriage has been introduced as the most important and main communication factor between humans. Infidelity in marriage is one of the most damaging problems that affect commitment and marriage relationships. The present study investigated the role of early maladaptive schemas in predicting components of marital infidelity. Methods: This study attempted to determine the role of early maladaptive schemas in predicting legitimacy, seduction, normalization, sexuality, social background, and sensation seeking in marital infidelity. The population comprised all the students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Iran, in the academic year 2019-2020. Considering the size of the population, 200 students were selected as a sample through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using an infidelity questionnaire (Yeniceri & Kökdemir, 2006) and Young’s early maladaptive schemas questionnaire (Young, 1999). Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a significant negative correlation (β=-0.15) between the over-vigilance/inhibition and the legitimacy of infidelity (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation (β=0.10) between impaired autonomy and performance with normalization (P<0.05). Also, impaired limits had a significant positive correlation (β=0.10) with the social background in marital infidelity (P<0.05). Multiple regressions analysis showed that over-vigilance/inhibition (β=-0.024, P>0.05) and impaired limits (β=0.15, P>0.05) were predictors of legitimacy. Impaired autonomy and performance (β=0.15, P>0.05) and other-directedness (β=-0.13, P>0.05) were predictors of seduction. Impaired autonomy and performance were predictors of normalization (β=0.06, P>0.05). Over-vigilance/inhibition could predict sexuality (β=-0.13, P>0.05). Disconnection and rejection could predict sensation seeking (β=0.016, P>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated the predictive role of early maladaptive schemas on the tendency of marital infidelity. When couples become aware of negative initial maladaptive schemas, conflict and eventually marital discord may decrease.