Roles of Personality and Gender in Sexual Infidelity of Married Persons

Abstract

Despite the significant contributions of infidelity in marital instability among couples, the construct has not been given much attention in existing literature, especially in Nigeria. DespiteThis study investigated the roles of personality and gender in sexual infidelity among married persons. Three hundred and fifty (350) married persons (Male = 199, Female = 151) participated in this study. Their age ranged from 19-62 (years) (Mean age = 36.72; SD = 7.26). Cross sectional design was adopted. Two instruments were used in the study for data collection, namely: The Big Five Personality Inventory and the Sexual Infidelity Behaviour Scale. Step-wise multiple regression was the main statistics used for data analyses. Results indicated that Conscientiousness was a significant negative predictor of sexual infidelity, β = -.40, p<.001. Extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience were not significant predictors of sexual infidelity. Also, gender is a negative and significant predictor of sexual infidelity, β = -.17, p<.001. A significant reduction in infidelity among married persons in society can be achieved when people are socialized from childhood through the lifespan to be diligent and committed to their relationships.