Narcissistic traits as mediators in the relationship between parenting styles and nonconsensual nonmonogamy in university students.

INTRODUCTION

Despite its prevalence and well-documented negative consequences, the factors contributing to infidelity remain poorly understood. This study aimed to shed more light on these matters by examining the interplay between infidelity, perceived childhood parenting styles, and subclinical narcissistic traits in males and females.

METHODS

Participants were 399 students from the National Autonomous University of Honduras.

RESULTS

Forty-five percent of male participants reported having been sentimentally involved with someone other than their partner, compared with 26% of female participants. Additionally, 15% of men reported having had sex with someone other than their partner, compared with 5% of women. Among females, none of the included parenting or personality variables significantly predicted infidelity. Among men, recalled parental emotional warmth was directly associated with lower infidelity-related behaviors and desires, but indirectly associated with higher infidelity-related behaviors and desires through higher narcissistic traits. Furthermore, parental rejection in males was positively associated with infidelity-related behaviors. The distinct path models observed for males and females suggest sex-specific mechanisms through which parenting styles may be related to adult infidelity behaviors.

DISCUSSION: We conclude that longitudinal research is needed to clarify these mechanisms and guide infidelity prevention efforts.