Emotional dependency and sweethearting in The Bahamas (I): Marital infidelity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v31i2.633Keywords:
Extramarital relationships, Sweethearting, Bahamian culture, Interpersonal relationshipsAbstract
This study examined the relationship between emotional dependency and adultery (locally referred to as “sweethearting”) in The Bahamas. Using an internet-based survey with a snowball sampling method, we analysed responses from 1,735 married individuals. Most respondents N = 888 (51.2%) reported high or severe levels of emotional dependency. Husbands reported higher emotional dependency levels (33.4) than wives (29), and emotional dependency was elevated among individuals engaged in adulterous relationships (36 for unfaithful husbands and 35.8 for unfaithful wives). Additionally, higher emotional dependency scores were reported among both perpetrators and survivors of sexual abuse (47.9 and 50, respectively), while the risk of being a victim of domestic violence was increased with higher emotional dependency. These findings suggest that emotional dependency is a factor which may influence infidelity, with potential mental health consequences. Practical interventions like relationship counselling and early-life emotional resilience programmes, may mitigate these effects and promote healthier intimate relationships in The Bahamas.
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