Predicting Marital Infidelity Tendency Based on Insecure Attachment and Early Maladaptive Schemas: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explain the role of insecure attachment and early maladaptive schemas in predicting marital infidelity tendency through the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties. Marital infidelity is one of the most serious relational injuries, as it can severely undermine trust, emotional security, commitment, and family stability. From a psychological perspective, the tendency toward extramarital involvement is not merely a result of current marital dissatisfaction; rather, it may be rooted in deeper personality, attachment, and cognitive-emotional patterns. Individuals with anxious or avoidant attachment styles may experience intimacy, conflict, and relational frustration in maladaptive ways. Anxiously attached individuals may seek external validation and emotional reassurance, whereas avoidantly attached individuals may distance themselves from intimacy and commitment. In addition, early maladaptive schemas such as emotional deprivation, abandonment, mistrust, defectiveness, and entitlement may distort individuals’ perceptions of themselves, their partners, and the marital relationship. These schemas may increase vulnerability to destructive relational behaviors when emotional needs are not adequately regulated. Emotion regulation difficulties may serve as a key mechanism through which insecure attachment and maladaptive schemas contribute to infidelity tendencies. The study used a descriptive-correlational design based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married individuals, and the sample was selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using measures of adult attachment, early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation difficulties, and marital infidelity tendency. The findings showed that insecure attachment and early maladaptive schemas had both direct and indirect effects on marital infidelity tendency through emotion regulation difficulties. The proposed model demonstrated acceptable fit indices. These results indicate that interventions aimed at improving marital fidelity should not focus solely on behavioral control or moral commitment, but should also address attachment insecurity, maladaptive cognitive schemas, and emotional dysregulation. Schema-based couple therapy, attachment-focused interventions, and emotion regulation training may therefore be effective in preventing marital infidelity and strengthening relational stability.