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Sexual Transgressions in Couples: The Influence of Dependence and Commitment on their Perception and Handling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2020

Marta Garrido-Macías Open the ORCID record for Marta Garrido-Macías [Opens in a new window] ,
Inmaculada Valor-Segura  and
Francisca Expósito
Marta Garrido-Macías*
Affiliation:
Universidad de Granada (Spain)
Inmaculada Valor-Segura
Affiliation:
Universidad de Granada (Spain)
Francisca Expósito
Affiliation:
Universidad de Granada (Spain)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Inmaculada Valor-Segura. Departamento de Psicología Social de la Universidad de Granada and Centro de Investigación, Mente, Cerebro y Comportamiento (CIMCYC). Campus de Cartuja, s/n. 18071 Granada (Spain). E-mail: ivalor@ugr.es
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

commitmentdependenceinfidelityprobability of leaving the relationshipsexual coercion
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 23 , 2020 , e20
Copyright
© Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2020

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Footnotes

Conflict of Interest. None

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

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