Infidelity in a relationship can be devastating and can lead to feelings of betrayal, hurt, and anger.

Discovering that the person you love has been unfaithful can shatter your world and leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about your relationship.

While some relationships can survive infidelity, others cannot. For those who do decide to stay together, the possibility of infidelity happening again is a fear that often lingers.

In this article, we will examine the likelihood of infidelity happening again and what factors contribute to this risk.

The Statistics of Infidelity

Research has shown that infidelity is not uncommon. In fact, the likelihood of a man or woman cheating on their partner at some point in their relationship is high.

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 15% of wives and 25% of husbands have had sex with someone other than their spouse while they were married.

Furthermore, 41% of marriages will experience infidelity at some point during the relationship.

These statistics may seem alarming, but it’s important to note that not everyone who cheats will do so again. Whether or not someone will repeat infidelity depends on a variety of factors.

The Factors That Contribute to Repeating Betrayal

When it comes to infidelity, there are several factors that can increase the likelihood of it happening again. Below, we examine some of these factors in more detail.

Unresolved Issues

If the underlying issues that led to the first incidence of infidelity aren’t addressed and resolved, the likelihood of it happening again is high.

For example, if the unfaithful partner cheated because they felt neglected or unappreciated, these issues need to be dealt with before the relationship can move forward without the risk of cheating repeating.

Emotional Disconnect

If there is a lack of emotional connection in the relationship, the likelihood of infidelity happening again increases. When a partner feels emotionally fulfilled, the temptation to cheat is greatly reduced.

Lack of Trust

Infidelity often destroys the trust that partners have in one another. Without trust, the relationship is at risk of infidelity happening again. Rebuilding trust takes time and effort, but it’s crucial if the relationship is to survive.

Opportunities to Cheat

Having opportunities to cheat greatly increases the likelihood of it happening again. Partners who work away from home or travel frequently may be more at risk of infidelity repeating.

Similarly, if a partner has a group of friends who condone cheating, they may be more likely to repeat the behavior.

Lack of Remorse

If the unfaithful partner shows no remorse for their actions, the likelihood of infidelity happening again is higher. If they don’t take responsibility for their behavior and work to change it, the relationship is at risk of repeating betrayal.

Rebuilding Trust

If you’ve decided to stay with your partner after infidelity, it’s important to work on rebuilding trust. This can be a long and painful process, but it’s essential if the relationship is to survive.

Rebuilding trust involves being honest, reliable, and consistent. The unfaithful partner needs to be transparent about their movements and actions.

They need to show remorse for their behavior and demonstrate that they’re committed to rebuilding the relationship.

The partner who was cheated on needs to be willing to forgive, but also to take steps to protect themselves from being hurt again. This may involve setting boundaries and being more assertive in the relationship.

Conclusion

Infidelity can be a devastating betrayal, and the fear of it happening again can be overwhelming. While the statistics show that the likelihood of infidelity happening again is high, there are many factors that contribute to this risk.

By addressing these factors and actively working to rebuild trust, it’s possible to move forward and rebuild a relationship after infidelity.