One thing that can lead to emotional infidelity is dissatisfaction with one's current relationship. This means feeling unhappy, discontent, or unsatisfied with your partner or lacking something you need from them. Dissatisfaction can cause people to seek out emotional fulfillment elsewhere, leading to an emotional affair. Research has shown that those who are less satisfied in their primary relationship are more likely to engage in emotional infidelity.
There are several reasons why dissatisfaction might lead to emotional infidelity. One reason is that it may be difficult for someone to express their needs in their primary relationship. They may feel unheard, ignored, or invalidated when they try to communicate what they want. So, they turn to someone else who will listen and understand their feelings. Another reason could be that there is a lack of trust or communication within the primary relationship. If someone feels like their partner isn't being truthful or honest, they may seek out another person to build a stronger connection with.
Dissatisfaction with oneself can also contribute to emotional infidelity. Someone who is unhappy with themselves may look to others for validation and attention. They may see someone else as being happier or more successful than them, which makes them feel inferior. This can lead to seeking out romantic relationships where they feel better about themselves.
In addition to these factors, distance can play a role in emotional infidelity. If someone feels distant from their partner, they may seek out other connections to fill that void. Distance can include physical separation due to work, travel, or relocation but also emotional distance caused by different values, beliefs, or interests.
It's important to note that not all cases of emotional infidelity stem directly from dissatisfaction. Sometimes, people simply have a strong attraction to someone else and find themselves caught up in an intense emotional affair without ever intending to cheat on their partner.
Even in these cases, underlying issues such as dissatisfaction or insecurity may still exist.
How does dissatisfaction predict emotional infidelity?
Dissatisfaction can lead to emotional infidelity because it creates an emotional void that individuals may seek to fill elsewhere, outside of their current relationship. This can manifest as seeking emotional intimacy with someone other than one's partner, often in the form of online interactions or friendships with coworkers or acquaintances.