Sexual Transgressions in CouplesThe Influence of Dependence and Commitment on their Perception and Handling

  1. Marta Garrido-Macías 1
  2. Inmaculada Valor-Segura 1
  3. Francisca Expósito 1
  1. 1 Universidad de Granada (Spain)
Aldizkaria:
The Spanish Journal of Psychology

ISSN: 1138-7416

Argitalpen urtea: 2020

Zenbakia: 23

Orrialdeak: 1-11

Mota: Artikulua

DOI: 10.1017/SJP.2020.25 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openSarbide irekia editor

Beste argitalpen batzuk: The Spanish Journal of Psychology

Garapen Iraunkorreko Helburuak

Laburpena

Transgressions occur frequently in romantic relationships, and how they are perceived is influenced by the type of transgression that occurred. By means of an experimental study of 399 participants (75.9% women and 24.1% men) aged 18 to 64 years old (Mage = 31.20, SD = 10.48), we examined the relationship between the type of sexual transgression (infidelity versus coercion), and perceived severity, strategies individuals would use in response to the transgression, and the probability they would leave the relationship, as well as levels of dependence and commitment. Results revealed higher perceived severity (p < .001, η2p = .24) and probability of leaving the relationship (p < .001, η2p = .39) in the infidelity scenario (versus coercion). Meanwhile, women (compared to men) rated sexual transgressions as more severe (p < .001, η2p = .04) and reported a higher probability of leaving the relationship (p < .001, η2p = .03), as well as a higher use of active conflict resolution strategies (exit, p = .048, η2p = .01, and voice, p < .001, η2p = .06) and lower use of passive strategies (loyalty, p < .001, η2p = .08). Finally, high levels of commitment and dependence predicted lower perceived severity (commitment, p < .001, 95% CI [–.72, –.20]; dependence, p < .001, 95% CI [–1.73, –.85]) and lower probability of leaving the relationship (commitment, p = .048, 95% CI [–.55, –.01]; dependence, p < .001, 95% CI [–1.66, –.73]) in coercion (versus infidelity) transgressions. These results highlight the normalization of sexual coercion in romantic relationships, which is not viewed as negatively as infidelity, and that commitment and dependence contribute to minimizing the negative impressions of it.

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This research was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion to the first author [Ref.FPU14-02905], and the financing provided by the Spanish Ministerio de Industria, Econom?a y Competitivad [Ref.PSI2017-84703-R; Ref. PSI-2017-83966-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER/UE)].

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