The INSIDER Summary:
- A survey asked millennials who had recently cheated why they strayed from their relationship.
- The overwhelming reason they gave was "interdependence" or a need for more connection in their relationship.
- The second, funnily enough, was a need for independence.
If you've ever been cheated on, you've probably been left with a lot of questions, the biggest being why?
Obviously everyone has their own reasons for cheating, but a new study conducted by the University of Tennessee found that the biggest reason why millennial-aged people say they cheated is something that you've probably never even heard of: interdependence.
Interdependence is the desire to be truly connected to your partner and feel that they love and value you. When the university surveyed 104 young people, with an average age of 22 who had cheated in the last six months, a shocking 73% of them cite "interdependence" as their reason for straying.
It makes sense that this would cause infidelity at such a high rate because interdependence covers a wide array of problems. People who say their relationship lacks "interdependence" can mean anything from lack of a spark, decreased amount of sex, poor communication, and more, according to the study.
This also makes sense because, according to studies, "emotional cheating" is the fastest growing form of cheating. This type of cheating is more focused on personal attention and conversation and doesn't even need a physical aspect.
Even more surprising was the second-highest reason people said they strayed: a need for independence. About 20% of respondents said they cheated because they felt the need to feel more separate and free from their partner, which seems to contradict the most popular response.
And of course, subsequent reasons why people said they cheated was the influence of alcohol and the fact that the person they cheated with was attractive.
While emotional detachment and feelings of loneliness can be tough and painful to deal with in a relationship, there are far more options to deal with it than trying to get emotional fulfillment through an affair. Talk to your partner about your feelings and make your needs known. If they're unable to fill your needs, you might need to seek help or end the relationship.
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