Having an affair makes cheaters happier in their marriage, survey finds
People who cheat say that their affairs make them happier in their marriage, a new survey has found.
In fact, 52% of married people who cheat say that they are having more sex with their spouse since their affair began.
The research comes from the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, Illicit Encounters, who surveyed 1,400 of its members and found that two in five (38%) said their affair made them happier in general, giving their wellbeing a boost.
"It might sound strange, but so many people find that their overall satisfaction in their primary relationships improves when having an affair," sex and relationships expert, Jessica Leoni, says.
"One thing that’s become clear is the impact that personal happiness has on your sex life, especially for those seeking fun outside of their marriage. They get this newfound surge in happiness, whether that comes from the affair itself or from the escape it provides, and that can spill over into the relationship at home."
Leoni adds that happier people "often approach intimacy with a more positive mindset", which makes them "more tolerant, and in some cases, more appreciative of their partners".
One case study from the survey, Colin, 37 from Exeter said: "Since starting an affair five months ago, I’ve been having more sex than ever – and not just with my lover.
"I've definitely noticed that I've become more patient with my wife, more able to let the little things that got on my nerves slide. We’re fighting less too – it’s like having this secret escape has brought over a sense of calm in my life and I’m just happier overall."
The survey found that 86% of respondents continued to have sex with their spouse while having an affair, and that 26% are having more sex due to their increased self esteem.
One YouGov study from 2010 found that nearly one in five (19%) of people have cheated on their partner, but that most of them have regretted it.
A separate YouGov survey from 2022 found that three quarters of Brits (78%) believe that cheating on someone is a good enough reason for divorce.
Infidelity: Read more
The professions most likely to have an affair, from teachers to doctors (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
Guildford tops list of UK destinations where married couples are most likely to cheat (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Married people who cheat have no regrets, new study finds (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
