Journal article
Higher testosterone levels are associated with unfaithful behavior in men.
- Klimas C Biological Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Ehlert U Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Lacker TJ Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Waldvogel P Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Walther A Biological Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: andreas.walther@tu-dresden.de.
- 2019-07-22
Published in:
- Biological psychology. - 2019
Infidelity
Men
Relationship satisfaction
Sexual activity
Sexual dysfunction
Sexuality
Testosterone
Unfaithful behavior
Adult
Aged
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Libido
Male
Marriage
Middle Aged
Saliva
Sexual Behavior
Social Desirability
Testosterone
English
BACKGROUND
Infidelity in romantic relationships is a common, but severe issue often causing breakup and severe psychological impairment. Higher levels of testosterone are related to mating-behavior, sexual desire, and infidelity in men with sexual dysfunctions. Previous studies, have insufficiently addressed the potential role of testosterone in infidelity in healthy men.
METHODS
A sample of 224 middle-aged self-reporting healthy men being currently in a relationship completed questionnaires on relationship characteristics, infidelity, and provided overnight-fasting saliva samples for testosterone quantification.
RESULTS
In the sample, 37.5% men answered having been unfaithful in the current relationship, while 29% were identified as fulfilling criteria for a sexual dysfunction. Adjusting for covariates, a significant positive association for the frequency of unfaithful behavior and testosterone levels emerged. Subsample analysis indicates a positive association between testosterone and infidelity only to be present in men without sexual dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
Unfaithful behavior in males is associated with higher testosterone levels.
Infidelity in romantic relationships is a common, but severe issue often causing breakup and severe psychological impairment. Higher levels of testosterone are related to mating-behavior, sexual desire, and infidelity in men with sexual dysfunctions. Previous studies, have insufficiently addressed the potential role of testosterone in infidelity in healthy men.
METHODS
A sample of 224 middle-aged self-reporting healthy men being currently in a relationship completed questionnaires on relationship characteristics, infidelity, and provided overnight-fasting saliva samples for testosterone quantification.
RESULTS
In the sample, 37.5% men answered having been unfaithful in the current relationship, while 29% were identified as fulfilling criteria for a sexual dysfunction. Adjusting for covariates, a significant positive association for the frequency of unfaithful behavior and testosterone levels emerged. Subsample analysis indicates a positive association between testosterone and infidelity only to be present in men without sexual dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
Unfaithful behavior in males is associated with higher testosterone levels.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107730
- PMID 31326436
- Persistent URL
- https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/191389
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