The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Sexual Satisfaction with the Tendency Toward Marital Infidelity

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction with the tendency toward marital infidelity among married female students at Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, in 2016. Methods and Materials: The present study was fundamental in terms of its objective and employed a descriptive-correlational method. Based on Klein's theory, the sample size was 150 participants, selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (Larson, 1998), and the Whatley Marital Infidelity Response Scale (Whatley, 2006). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and standard (simultaneous) multiple regression analysis. Findings: The results of Pearson correlation showed a significant negative relationship between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction with the tendency toward marital infidelity (P < .001). Additionally, the results of simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that self-esteem and sexual satisfaction together explained 36% of the variance in the tendency toward marital infidelity. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that self-esteem and sexual satisfaction contribute to reducing the tendency toward marital infidelity.