The concept of dependence is defined as an emotional and psychological state where individuals rely heavily on others for their happiness, stability, security, and well-being. Dependence may arise from several factors such as attachment styles, childhood experiences, mental health issues, and personality traits. When one partner becomes dependent on another, it can lead to a lack of individual identity, fear of abandonment, and difficulty regulating emotions.
This dependence can also manifest itself in the form of relational tolerance of infidelity. Relationship dynamics are influenced by various factors including power dynamics, communication patterns, and trust levels. In this article, I will discuss how dependency influences relational tolerance of infidelity.
Relational tolerance refers to the degree to which partners accept and accommodate each other's behaviors that breach relationship norms, rules, or expectations. It involves both partners' willingness to forgive betrayal and their ability to continue the relationship despite the transgression. This tolerance level varies between individuals and relationships based on numerous variables such as cultural beliefs, age, gender roles, and previous experience.
Some cultures value fidelity more than others while some couples may have different definitions of what constitutes cheating.
Men and women may respond differently to infidelity due to societal expectations and biases.
When dependency exists within a relationship, it can significantly impact relational tolerance. Research suggests that individuals who depend heavily on their partners tend to exhibit higher rates of jealousy, possessiveness, and reactivity towards perceived threats. These individuals often view themselves as incomplete without their partners and may feel threatened when their partners engage in extramarital affairs. They may see infidelity as a personal attack rather than a violation of trust. As a result, they may find it difficult to forgive or move past the incident. On the other hand, highly dependent individuals may be less likely to confront their partner about their actions or end the relationship altogether. They may fear losing their source of emotional support and stability, leading them to ignore or minimize their partner's infidelity.
Dependence can also influence how partners handle infidelity. Individuals who rely heavily on their partners for emotional fulfillment may seek validation from them even after discovering an affair. They may turn to their partners for reassurance and support, making it challenging for their partners to break off the relationship. Such situations can create a vicious cycle where one partner's neediness reinforces the other's transgression.
Some studies suggest that this dynamic is not always true, as highly dependent individuals may also experience less positive outcomes following an affair, such as increased depression and anxiety.
Dependency plays a critical role in relational tolerance of infidelity. Dependent individuals tend to have lower levels of relational tolerance due to their high expectations and low self-esteem. They may find it more challenging to accept their partner's betrayal and may stay in the relationship despite its negative effects. Understanding these dynamics can help couples work together to address issues related to dependency and improve communication patterns.
How does dependency influence relational tolerance of infidelity?
Relationship researchers generally agree that interdependence between partners plays an important role in determining how they perceive each other's behavior (Buss & Shackelford, 2018; Lerner et al. , 2019). Partners who are more interdependent may be less likely to view their partner's extramarital relationships as threatening to their relationship because they rely on each other for support.