Dating infidelity in Turkish couples: the role of attitudes and intentions

Abstract

Studies on dating infidelity have mostly been carried out in individualistic, Western cultures and have tended to investigate either attitudes or intentions toward infidelity in isolation from each other. The current study therefore investigated dating infidelity in a more collectivist, predominantly Muslim culture. Informed by the theory of planned behavior, it tested intentions as a potential mechanism that might account for the association between attitudes toward infidelity and reported infidelity. In doing so, the role of gender and infidelity history was also investigated in regard to attitudes and intentions toward infidelity. A sample of 420 college students (292 women) completed the Turkish versions of the Attitudes Towards Infidelity Scale and the Intentions Towards Infidelity Scale. A 2 (gender) × 2 (infidelity history: yes, no) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed main effects but no interaction effect. Men compared to women and cheaters compared to noncheaters reported more favorable attitudes and intentions toward infidelity. Moreover, intentions toward infidelity fully and partly mediated the association between attitudes toward infidelity and infidelity for women and men, respectively. Findings are interpreted in light of dating infidelity research, with a focus on universal and culturally specific aspects. Recommendations are made for future research.