Sensation Seeking and Extramarital Relationships: Mediation Role of Marital Frustration

Extramarital relations are one of the most traumatic problems that cause the disintegration of married life, and understanding the factors preventing extramarital relations is of great value in maintaining the stability and quality of life of families. Consequently, present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of marital frustration in the relationship between sensation seeking and extramarital relationships. This a quantitative descriptive correlational study that used structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all married men in Tehran in 2022. Participants were 300 qualified people were selected using accessible sampling method. Data was collected via Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS), Niehuis and Bartell Marital Disillusionment Scale, and Whatley's Attitudes Toward Infidelity Scale. The research model and relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test using SPSS version 22 software and Amos software. The results indicated that sensation seeking (β = 0.505, P < 0.01) has a direct and positive effect on marital frustration, has a direct and positive effect on extramarital relationships (β = 0.453, P < 0.01) and has an effect on extramarital relationships ( β=0.172, P<0.05), indirectly and through the marital frustration. Furthermore, marital frustration has a direct positive effect on extramarital relationships (β=0.342, P<0.01). According to the results, the emotional based variables such as sensation seeking and marital frustration can affect the attitude towards extramarital relationships. The findings have beneficial implications for therapeutic and educational interventions in extramarital relationships as well.