Research suggests monogamy may affect mental health

Trust and loyalty are essential in a relationship and at a time when platforms specifically assisting people to cheat are available, it’s difficult to maintain monogamy. While people put a lot of effort into preserving fidelity, they may not be enough when someone new is intent on connecting with a person.

Despite the abhorrence evident towards infidelity, most people are found to have cheated on their partner or admit to being cheated by them. Interviews reveal that most expect their partner to stay monogamous despite having extramarital thoughts or being involved in similar behaviour like flirting with someone else.

While infidelity remains a leading cause of relationships falling apart, the distress and discord it causes in those that don’t can be arduous. Studies have pointed out that people in monogamous relationships are less likely to practice safe sex than those in open relationships.

Infidelity is considered to be the deal breaker in most relationships, but psychologists say a relationship can survive that if the couple can redefine what monogamy actually means to them.