Empirical Research & News
Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater?
Serial Infidelity Across Subsequent Relationships
While many studies have looked at what leads to infidelity, none have specifically examined how infidelity in a past relationship affects future relationships. This study followed 484 adults through two different romantic relationships, tracking their own infidelity as well as their partners'. The results showed that individuals were unfaithful in their first relationship were three times more likely to cheat in their next one compared to those who were faithful initially.
A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence
A systematic review identified risk factors for intimate partner violence by analyzing 228 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The studies focused on community or clinical samples, had a response rate of at least 50%, measured physical or sexual violence, and accounted for confounding factors. The risk factors were categorized into three areas: (a) characteristics of partners and their environment, (b) individual development and behaviors, and (c) relationship dynamics. Comparisons with earlier reviews show advancements in the field over the past decade, along with recommendations for intervention.
Perceived risk of female infidelity moderates the relationship between men’s personality and partner-directed violence
In a study with 467 men in a committed relationship results indicated that: (1) men with lower emotional stability, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and men who perceived greater risk of partner infidelity perpetrated more partner-directed violence, and (2) the relationship between men’s personality traits and partner-directed violence depends on their perceptions of the risk of partner infidelity. Simple slope analyses indicated that: (a) men’s emotional stability and agreeableness predict partner-directed violence only when perceived risk of partner infidelity is low, and (b) men’s conscientiousness predicts partner-directed violence only when perceived risk of partner infidelity is high.
Not Enough of a ‘Dark’ Trait? Linking Machiavellianism to Job Performance
Machiavellianism is often seen as having negative traits like ruthlessness, deceitfulness, and self-centeredness. Its impact on job performance has been debated, with some suggesting a positive link and others a negative one. A recent meta-analysis showed significant variability in research findings and no clear linear relationship. In our study, we proposed an inverted U-shaped relationship, finding that moderate levels of Machiavellianism were linked to better organizational citizenship behavior, but not to task performance.
