The Mediating Role of Marital Intimacy in Relation with Midlife Crisis with a Tendency toward Infidelity in Middle-Aged Men

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of marital intimacy in relation between midlife crisis and the tendency to infidelity in middle-aged men. Methods: This was a correlational research with structural equation modeling method. The statistical population of this research was made up of all men aged 40 to 60 in Razavi Khorasan province, 200 of whom were selected by convenience sampling and answered the questionnaires of marital intimacy, mid-life identity crisis, and tendency to infidelity. Data analysis was done using structural equation method using SPSS and AMOS softwares. Findings: The results of this research showed that the assumed model has a good fit. Also, the results of the analysis indicated a direct relationship between the tendency to infidelity and the midlife crisis, and there was an indirect relationship between the midlife crisis through marital intimacy on the tendency to cheat. Also, marital intimacy has an inverse and significant relationship with the independent variable of the midlife crisis, as well as marital infidelity. It has a direct and significant relationship with midlife crisis, and there is an inverse and significant relationship (-0.643) between marital infidelity and marital intimacy. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that marital intimacy has been able to play a mediating role between midlife crisis and the tendency toward infidelity. So, marital intimacy and midlife crisis can play an influential role in married life and the tendency of people to commit marital infidelity. Therefore, it is necessary to provide appropriate knowledge and training to couples who are exposed to these injuries.