One partner may feel emotionally neglected or unfulfilled within the marriage, leading them to seek emotional connection and support elsewhere.
Poor communication or unresolved issues within the marriage can create a void that individuals may try to fill by seeking intimacy or validation outside of the relationship.
Some individuals experience a midlife crisis, which can lead them to question their choices and seek excitement, validation, or a sense of youthfulness through an affair.
If one partner has been unfaithful or hurtful, the other may cheat as an act of revenge or to regain a sense of power.
A stagnant or monotonous relationship can drive individuals to seek novelty, excitement, and passion elsewhere.
Individuals with low self-esteem may seek affirmation, validation, or a sense of desirability outside of their marriage, leading to infidelity.
A lack of sexual compatibility, frequency, or fulfillment can drive some individuals to look for satisfaction outside their marriage.
Being exposed to attractive or available individuals in social or work settings can create temptations that some married individuals may find hard to resist.
If fundamental needs or desires, such as intimacy, adventure, or personal growth, are unfulfilled within the marriage, individuals may be inclined to seek them elsewhere.
Over time, some couples may drift apart emotionally, leading one or both partners to seek emotional connection and understanding from someone else.