Higher testosterone levels are associated with unfaithful behavior in men

C Klimas; U Ehlert; T J Lacker; P Waldvogel; A Walther

doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107730

Higher testosterone levels are associated with unfaithful behavior in men

Biol Psychol. 2019 Sep;146:107730. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107730. Epub 2019 Jul 18.

Authors

C Klimas¹, U Ehlert², T J Lacker², P Waldvogel³, A Walther⁴

Affiliations

¹ Biological Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
² Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
³ Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
⁴ Biological Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: andreas.walther@tu-dresden.de.

PMID: 31326436
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107730

Abstract

Background: Infidelity in romantic relationships is a common, but severe issue often causing breakup and severe psychological impairment. Higher levels of testosterone are related to mating-behavior, sexual desire, and infidelity in men with sexual dysfunctions. Previous studies, have insufficiently addressed the potential role of testosterone in infidelity in healthy men.

Methods: A sample of 224 middle-aged self-reporting healthy men being currently in a relationship completed questionnaires on relationship characteristics, infidelity, and provided overnight-fasting saliva samples for testosterone quantification.

Results: In the sample, 37.5% men answered having been unfaithful in the current relationship, while 29% were identified as fulfilling criteria for a sexual dysfunction. Adjusting for covariates, a significant positive association for the frequency of unfaithful behavior and testosterone levels emerged. Subsample analysis indicates a positive association between testosterone and infidelity only to be present in men without sexual dysfunction.

Conclusion: Unfaithful behavior in males is associated with higher testosterone levels.

Keywords: Infidelity; Men; Relationship satisfaction; Sexual activity; Sexual dysfunction; Sexuality; Testosterone; Unfaithful behavior.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Libido
Male
Marriage
Middle Aged
Saliva / chemistry
Sexual Behavior / physiology*
Social Desirability
Testosterone / metabolism*

Substances

Testosterone