Using the Relational Turbulence Model to understand the Transition towards Infidelity

Research has described the period leading up to infidelity as a period of relational uncertainty. Furthermore, relational uncertainty has been associated with changes in individuals' cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Using the relational turbulence model as a theoretical framework, I predicted that relational uncertainty, the interference and influence from partners interdependence processes, and infidelity moral disengagement processes would be directly and positively related to infidelity, as well as the facilitation from partners interdependence process and maintenance strategies would be directly and negatively related to infidelity. In addition, I predicted that interdependence processes, maintenance strategies, and infidelity moral disengagement processes would mediate the indirect and positive relationship between relational uncertainty and infidelity.;I test my hypotheses using data from a self-report, cross-sectional study of 241 individuals who either were in a relationship or had been unfaithful in the 2 years prior to completing the survey. Results indicated that relational uncertainty, the interference from partners interdependence process, and infidelity moral disengagement processes were directly and positively related to infidelity, as well as the facilitation from partners interdependence process and maintenance strategies were directly and negatively related to infidelity. Nonetheless, the influence from partners interdependence process was not significantly associated with infidelity. In addition, the positivity and relationship talk maintenance strategies mediated the association between the three sources of relational uncertainty and infidelity. Relationship talk and involvement with social networks mediated the association between the relationship and self uncertainty and infidelity, but not partner uncertainty and infidelity. Facilitation from partners, understanding, self-disclosure, and infidelity moral disengagement processes mediated the association between relationship and partner uncertainty, but not self uncertainty and infidelity. Finally, influence from partners and assurances did not mediate the association between self, partner, or relationship uncertainty and infidelity. The discussion highlights the contribution of the study to the understanding of the transition towards infidelity, as well as notes limitations and future directions.