People who feel unable to be their genuine selves in romantic relationships might be more likely to consider cheating on their partners. A recent study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences suggests that individuals with insecure attachment habits and lower levels of emotional closeness tend to have a higher inclination toward infidelity. These findings provide evidence that cheating is often linked to unmet emotional needs and personal vulnerabilities rather than simply malicious intentions. Teodora-Elena Huţanu and Andrei Corneliu Holman, researchers at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi in Romania, wanted to look beyond the moral judgments that typically surround infidelity. They specifically focused on how an individual’s attachment style might relate to their ability to be authentic. “While people often condemn infidelity as a purely intentional wrongdoing, the psychological drivers behind this behavior are frequently misunderstood. I was interested in whether infidelity might sometimes reflect personal vulnerabilities – such as insecure attachment patterns and reduced authenticity – which may be associated with lower emotional intimacy within relationships,” explained Huţanu, a PhD student. …