Direct-proactive communication and the post-infidelity stay-leave decision

ABSTRACT

Research at the intersection of infidelity and communication has primarily focused on how partners communicate post-infidelity. However, researchers have yet to investigate whether direct-proactive communication (i.e. having an intentional conversation with one’s partner about attitudes toward infidelity prior to its occurrence) can influence victims’ stay-leave decision-making process in response to the transgression. We conducted two studies (total N = 271) to compare the influence of this communication strategy on people’s anticipated responses to infidelity in hypothetical scenarios, versus people’s actual responses to infidelity that occurred in a past or current relationship. Study 1 results did not reveal a significant association between this strategy and the anticipated stay-leave decision, nor between this strategy and anticipated decision confliction. Study 2 results also failed to reveal a significant association between this strategy and the actual stay-leave decision. However, we did find that particularly among individuals who chose to stay with their unfaithful partner, those who had engaged in direct-proactive communication were significantly more conflicted about staying than those who did not. Exploratory analyses further suggest that although people anticipate direct-proactive communication would greatly influence their choice to stay or leave post-infidelity, it doesn’t seem to matter for those faced with the real decision.

KEYWORDS:

• Romantic relationships
• infidelity
• communication strategies
• stay-leave behavior
• decision-making

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jayda P. Felder

Jayda P. Felder (M.S., Georgia Southern University) is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University.

Laura V. Machia

Laura V. Machia (Ph.D., Purdue University) is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University.