Formulation of the Extramarital Relationships Model Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas Mediated by Sensation-seeking in Men

The existence of extramarital relationships is one of the main causes of family breakdown and divorce. The current study aimed to formulate an extramarital relationship model based on early maladaptive schemas mediated by sensation-seeking in men.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all men with extramarital relationships visiting a counseling center in the west of Tehran (Hamkadeh) from March to September 2021. The sample for this study included 250 men with extramarital relationships within the age range of 28-45 who were selected via the convenience sampling method. Data gathering was carried out using the marital infidelity questionnaire of Yeniceri and Kökdemir (2006), Young's early maladaptive schema questionnaire (1998), and the Zuckerman Sensation-seeking questionnaire (2006). Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

The results indicated that the assumed research model is fitted over the empirical data (RMSEA=0.056). The coefficient of a direct path between early maladaptive schemas and marital intimacy (β=0.28) was significant at 0.05 level. The indirect coefficient of early maladaptive schemas to extramarital relationships through flexibility was significant (P=0.001).

The early maladaptive schemas were correlated with extramarital relationships mediated by sensation-seeking. Therefore, it can be stated that the reduction of early maladaptive schemas and sensation-seeking will effectively mitigate extramarital relationships.