The Relationship between Religious Orientation and Sexual Self-Efficacy with Infidelity: The Mediating Role of Attachment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Hossein Shareh ¹
• Tarlan Tavakoli ²

¹ Associate Prof.Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

² Master Graduated Department of psychology\ Islamic Azad University, Neyshabour, Iran

10.22067/tpccp.2021.68487.1035

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of attachment styles in the relationship between religious orientation and sexual self-efficacy with infidelity in married women.
Method: This research was a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population consisted of married female students of universities and married women referring to health centers in Mashhad in 2019. From this population, 311 people were selected as the research sample using convenience sampling method. To collect data, Marital Infidelity Scale, Religious Orientation Scale, Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale for Females and Adult Attachment Style Questionnaire were used. The data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling.
Findings: The results of the fitted model confirmed the mediating role of (secure and avoidant) attachment styles in the relationship between religious orientation and sexual self-efficacy with infidelity. Based on the findings of the present study, it is concluded that considering the individual’s initial experiences in the original family is important. Relying on the findings of this study, therapists and family counselors can provide effective measures to prevent or reduce marital infidelity.

Keywords

• Religious orientation
• Sexual self-efficacy
• Attachment
• Infidelity

20.1001.1.22516352.1399.10.2.5.8

---

References

Akçabozan, N. B., McDaniel, B. T., Corkery, S. A., & Curran, M. A. (2017). Gender, sacrifices, and variability in commitment: A daily diary study of pregnant heterosexual cohabitors and their partners. Sex Roles, 77(3), 194-208.

Allport, G. W., & Ross, J. M. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of personality and social psychology, 5(4), 432.

Aman, J., Abbas, J., Nurunnabi, M., & Bano, S. (2019). The relationship of religiosity and marital satisfaction: the role of religious commitment and practices on marital satisfaction among Pakistani respondents. Behavioral Sciences, 9(3), 30.

Bandura, A. (2000). Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current directions in psychological science, 9(3), 75-78.

Burdette, A. M., Ellison, C. G., Sherkat, D. E., & Gore, K. A. (2007). Are there religious variations in marital infidelity? Journal of Family Issues, 28(12), 1553-1581.

Byers, E. S., & Heinlein, L. (1989). Predicting initiations and refusals of sexual activities in married and cohabiting heterosexual couples. Journal of Sex Research, 26(2), 210-231.

Cooper, M. L., Pioli, M., Levitt, A., Talley, A. E., Micheas, L., & Collins, N. L. (2006). Attachment styles, sex motives, and sexual behavior. Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving, and sex, 243-274.

Drigotas, S. M., Safstrom, C. A., & Gentilia, T. (1999). An investment model prediction of dating infidelity. Journal of personality and social psychology, 77(3), 509.

Dunkel, C. S., Lukaszewski, A. W., & Chua, K. (2016). The relationships between sex, life history strategy, and adult romantic attachment style. Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 176-178.

Edjtehadi, M., & Vahedi, G. (2016). Sociological study of the potential of infidelity in marital relations and its effective factors among public and private sector employees. Iranian Socioligical Associoation, 17(4), 105-138.

Feeney, J. A. (1999). Adult attachment, emotional control, and marital satisfaction. Personal Relationships, 6(2), 169-185.

Ferdosi, S. (2019). The prediction of attitudes toward infidelity based on attachment behavior in couple relationships, marital quality relationship and attachment styles in married women. Contemporary Psychology, Biannual Journal of the Iranian Psychological Association, 13(2), 149-157.

Fincham, F. D., & May, R. W. (2017). Infidelity in romantic relationships. Current opinion in psychology, 13, 70-74.

Forotan, A., Milani, M (2007). Prevalence of sexual disorders in divorce Applicants refer to family court. Daneshvar Medicine, 78(10),, 39-41.

Gelder, M., Mayou, R., & Geddes, J. (2005). Psychiatry: An Oxford Core Text: Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Goldenberg, M. (2011). Why do men and women cheat? Rio de Janeiro. RJ: BestBolso.

Gridley, C. G. (2006). Integrating sex therapy and couple therapy in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: An attachment-based approach: Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay.

Guadagno, L., Sarno, M., Vietri, U., Raimondo, M., Cirillo, C., & Ciambelli, P. (2015). Graphene-based structural adhesive to enhance adhesion performance. RSC Advances, 5(35), 27874-27886.

Haack, K. R., & Falcke, D. (2014). Love and Marital Quality in Romantic Relationships Mediated and Non-Mediated by Internet1. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 24, 105-113.

Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of personality and social psychology, 52(3), 511.

Hertlein, K. M., & Weeks, G. R. (2007). Two roads diverging in a wood: The current state of infidelity research and treatment. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 6(1-2), 95-107.

Ignat, R. (2018). 704 Infidelity, impulsivity, attachment and distorted cognitions. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 15(7), S401.

Ezhehei, J, (2002). Needs in the Quran. Journal of Psychology. 6 (24 consecutive 4), 323-307.

Jamali, M., Feiz Abadi, S., & Jamali, M. (2017). The effect of cognitive behavioral intervention on women’s sexual self-efficacy and marital satisfaction. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 19(special issue), 29-38.

Kemer, G., Bulgan, G., & Yıldız, E. Ç. (2016). Gender differences, infidelity, dyadic trust, and jealousy among married Turkish individuals. Current Psychology, 35(3), 335-343.

Khaleghkhah, A., & Babaei Menghari, M. M. (2015). Relationship between attachment styles and spiritual intelligence with religious attitudes of Secondary school students in Amol city, 2014. Journal of Religion and Health, 2(2), 1-9.

Khonainzadeh, M., Ezhei, J., & Mazaheri, M. (2005). Comparison of attachment style of students with internal and external religious orientation. Journal of psychology, 9(3), 225-247.

Khosravi, A., Heydarnia, A., & Nazifi, M. (2019). The role of Religious Attitude in Attitude towards Infidelity: The Mediating Role of Subjective Well-being. Positive Psychology Research, 5(3), 13-28.

Kordbache, S., & Arefi, M. (2018). The role of family communication patterns and sexual quality in predicting attitudes toward marital infidelity in women in Isfahan. Social Behavior Research & Health, 2(1), 199-209.

Lalasz, C. B., & Weigel, D. J. (2011). Understanding the relationship between gender and extradyadic relations: The mediating role of sensation seeking on intentions to engage in sexual infidelity. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(7), 1079-1083.

Litzinger, S., & Gordon, K. C. (2005). Exploring relationships among communication, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 31(5), 409-424.

Loudová, I., Janiš, K., & Haviger, J. (2013). Infidelity as a Threatening Factor to the Existence of the Family. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 106, 1462-1469.

Moller, N. P., & Vossler, A. (2015). Defining infidelity in research and couple counseling: A qualitative study. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 41(5), 487-497.

Momeni, J. N., Z.  . (2013). Illegal relationships. Tehran: Shabahang.

Omarzu, J., Miller, A. N., Schultz, C., & Timmerman, A. (2012). Motivations and emotional consequences related to engaging in extramarital relationships. International Journal of Sexual Health, 24(2), 154-162.

Philippe, F. L., Koestner, R., Beaulieu‐Pelletier, G., & Lecours, S. (2011). The role of need satisfaction as a distinct and basic psychological component of autobiographical memories: A look at well‐being. Journal of personality, 79(5), 905-938.

Russell, V. M., Baker, L. R., & McNulty, J. K. (2013). Attachment insecurity and infidelity in marriage: Do studies of dating relationships really inform us about marriage? Journal of Family Psychology, 27(2), 242.

Sami, A., Nazari, M., Mohsenzadeh, F., & Taheri, M. (2014). Multiple relationships of attachment styles, personality dimensions, and marital satisfaction with marital breakdown. Journal of women's educational and cultural education, 9, 79-93.

SariKhani, R. (2012). Comparison of the effect of TTM-based sex education with traditional approach on sexual self-efficacy of nulliparous women in Tehran University of Medical Sciences after childbirth. (PhD Thesis, ), Tehran University of Medical Sciences.  

Scheeren, P. (2016). Conjugal Infidelity Behaviors: The construction of an instrument. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, , Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.  

Shafiei, N., Shahabizade, F., & Pourshafei . (2012). eligious Orientation and External Control Center, providing a model of happiness in students. Psychology and Religion, 20, 107-121.

Tabnak. (2015). Extramarital triangles increase divorce. News ID 534919. Published on October 27, 2015. Available through the portal http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/534919 Accessed 21/07/1399. (in Persian)

Tracy, J., Shaver, P., Albino, A., & Cooper, M. (2003). Attachment stylesandadolescentsexuality. InP. Florsheim (Ed.), Adolescentromance and sexual behavior: Theory, research, and practical implications (pp. 137–159): Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Tuttle, J. D., & Davis, S. N. (2015). Religion, infidelity, and divorce: reexamining the effect of religious behavior on divorce among long-married couples. Journal of divorce & remarriage, 56(6), 475-489.

Umemura, T., Lacinová, L., Kotrčová, K., & Fraley, R. C. (2018). Similarities and differences regarding changes in attachment preferences and attachment styles in relation to romantic relationship length: longitudinal and concurrent analyses. Attachment & human development, 20(2), 135-159.

Weiser, D. A., & Weigel, D. J. (2015). Investigating experiences of the infidelity partner: Who is the “other man/woman”? Personality and Individual Differences, 85, 176-181.

Zare, Z. (2016). Survey of Relationship between Sexual Self-efficacy and Sexual Life‎ Quality with Marital‎ Satisfaction in Primiparous Women after‎ Childbirth. Beyhagh, 21(2), 1-10.

Zhang, N., Parish, W. L., Huang, Y., & Pan, S. (2012). Sexual infidelity in China: Prevalence and gender-specific correlates. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41(4), 861-873.

Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2013). Young females’ sexual self-efficacy: Associations with personal autonomy and the couple relationship. Sexual health, 10(3), 204-210.

Zordan, E. P., & Strey, M. (2011). Marital separation: Aspects involved in this decision, reverberation and future. projects. thinking families, 15, 71-88.