"Once A Cheater, Always A Cheater" – Is There Any Truth To The Phrase?

“ Once a cheater , always a cheater ” – it ’s an adage you ’ve no doubt get wind before , perhaps you ’ve even said it yourself , red iris waving , but is there actually anything in the phrase ?

While many hoi polloi believe that a cartroad track record of unfaithfulness inrelationshipsis a surefire sign of future adultery , that does n’t necessarily entail it ’s honest – but it also does n’t have in mind that former beguiler are off the come-on , either .

Onestudypublished back in 2017 pour forth some light on the topic , attempting to nail the likelihood of repetition violation . Researchers calculate at 484 mixed - gender couples , notice that 44 per centum of participants reported engaging in infidelity at some gunpoint during the family relationship .

The analysis also revealed that those who had cheated in the past were three time more likely to cheat again compared to those who had never dabble in criminal conversation .

“ The past matters for relationships , ” study source Kayla Knopp said in astatement . “ What we do at every footfall along the way in our wild-eyed histories end up influencing what come next . ”

That may be true of infidelity , in some character , but it ’s not a hard - and - fast rule .

“ Not every person who cheats once will cheat again , ” psychologist Kristin Davin and brain doctor Heidi Moawad pen forChoosing Therapy . “ However , sequential cheaters are people who seek out intimate partners on a continual , chronic pattern of infidelity . ”

Although no such official term survive in psychology , there are sure personality trait that may make some people more likely to be faithless , therapist Ainhoa Plata toldEl País . These include those with egotistical personality disorder .

“ Narcissistic peopleuse others to feel get it on and admired . They like challenges and continually prove to themselves that they are above others . For this intellect , they love to live the warmth of fall in love … they finger more admired and appraise in that blank space than in a long - condition relationship , ” Plata continue .

“ The narcist is not satisfied with a stable and lasting relationship , because over fourth dimension , their pardner gain independence and stops worship them . infidelity [ later ] satisfy the needs of the narcist . ”

citizenry with avoidant attachment styles or low ego - esteem may also be prone to serial cheat – perhaps they may renegade against dedication or essay validation in others , Inés Bárcenas told El País .

“ That being said , not all mass who are unfaithful have personality disorderliness or mental problems , ” Bárcenas sum up . “ Sometimes infidelity do have to do specifically with a mate . ”

Of course , there are also a whole host of other reasonswhy someone might cheattime and prison term again , but the good news is , these can be remedied , and serial cheaters can be reform .

“ There are no quick treatment . You have to work on identity operator , self - esteem … it ’s a very long way that involves exploring and reconfiguring the link between oneself and others . But yes , it is possible to get better and be better for others , ” Bárcenas conclude .