Development and Validation of the 14-Item Intentions Toward Infidelity Scale

ABSTRACT

Infidelity is labeled as an unforgivable betrayal in dyadic relationships. It is essential to understand the intentions of committing betrayal to interpret these behaviors. Previous researchers have given well-elucidated justifications for committing infidelity. However, a new measure of intentions toward infidelity is required because existing measures focus on reasons, attitudes, and justifications rather than directly assessing specific intentions. Additionally, infidelity is a multifaceted phenomenon and a dedicated measure for intentions provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of individuals’ likelihood to engage in such behavior. Hence, the present study was conceptualized. The sample comprised 561 adults, 489 university students, and 72 working professionals. Out of the total sample, 189 were males (33.69%) and 372 females (66.31%) aged 18 to 50 years (Mage = 21.23, SDage = 4.44 years). Exploratory factor analysis along with confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the dimensionality and validate the measurement theory of the current scale. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good fit and suggested intentions toward the infidelity scale as a unidimensional construct. These preliminary results confirm that this construct has the premises to be validated as a reliable instrument for measuring intentions toward infidelity.

Acknowledgements

We are immensely grateful to Dr. Saurabh Maheshwari, Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, India for his constructive and valuable feedback throughout the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Informed consent statement

Informed consent was taken from all the respondents who participated in the study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kashish Pandey

Kashish Pandey is working as a Research Assistant in the Council of Doctoral Program and pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies. Her research utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate how increasing incidences of infidelity can be obliterated through the development of a psycho-social intervention module. Her secondary research focuses on the intersections of infidelity and its impact on diverse areas such as sports, workplaces, educational institutions, etc. Her book includes Filthy Feelings of Emptiness touching the grey area of modern and contemporary societies.

Shruti Narain

Shruti Narain was awarded a Ph.D. in 2012 in Psychology from Patna University, Bihar, India. She has served as an Associate Professor at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad until recently and previously held the position of Assistant Professor at Patna Women’s College (Autonomous) and the University Department of Psychology, Patna University, for over a decade. Her interest areas have been working with different issues of adolescents and emerging adults. She has received research grants twice from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi for her work on adolescent psychology.

Azmat Jahan

Azmat Jahan, Ph.D. is currently working as an Assistant Professor at KR Mangalam University, Haryana, India. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Jamia Millia Islamia University in 2021, focusing on the interplay of Big Five Personality Factors, Parenting Style, and Peer Pressure as predictors of Health Risk Behavior. She is a recipient of the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship Award. She served as an Assistant Professor at Manav Rachna Institute of International Research and Studies until recently. Before that, she also worked as a Visiting Professor at Rishihood University, and Guest Faculty at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi. Her research interests encompass interpersonal relationships, such as infidelity, attachment styles, social support, loneliness in the elderly, and the impact of social media on health-promoting behavior.