EXAMINING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MARITAL ADJUSTMENT, TENDENCY FOR CONFLICT AND CHEATING AMONG MARRIED COUPLES

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between marital adjustment, tendency of conflict and cheating among married individuals. The current study also considers whether there are relationships between gender and each of variables. Method: The Marital Adjustment Scale, Tendency of Conflict Scale and Tendency of Cheating Scale were used as measurement tools in the current study. Snowball sampling technique was used and responses of 120 married individuals in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were evaluated. Results: 50.8% of the participants were female while 49.2% of them were male. It has been found that there was a negative correlation between marital adjustment and conflict among both married women and men that is; when marital adjustment increases, the tendency of conflict decreases among married individuals. Also, there was a positive correlation between the tendency of conflict and cheating among both married women and men in other words; when the tendency of conflict increases, the tendency of cheating also rises among married individuals. The findings have generally suggested that there was a tendency to cheat among married individuals yet there was no significant difference between men and women in terms of the tendency of cheating. Conclusion: Considering the tendency of conflict and cheating negatively affect the marital adjustment, the current study can be helpful; for psychotherapists who work with married individuals as well as for future studies aiming to examine marital relationships