During the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed profound shifts not only in public health and economic landscapes but also within the intimate realms of human relationships. A compelling new study led by Dr. Jessica T. Campbell at Indiana University Bloomington delves into one such shift—infidelity among parents in committed, heterosexual relationships during this period of intense global crisis. Published in the open-access journal PLOS One on August 13, 2025, this research illuminates nuanced dynamics of desire and behavior related to infidelity, emphasizing the distinctive challenges faced by parents under pandemic-induced stress.
The study surveyed 1,070 U.S. adults actively engaged in committed, heterosexual partnerships over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021). With a focus on parenthood status, researchers sought to unravel whether parental responsibilities, amid extraordinary societal pressures, correlated with changes in infidelity-related feelings and actions. Unlike many prior investigations limited to broad measures of relationship dissatisfaction, this work rigorously distinguished between reported desires for infidelity and the enactment of such behaviors, providing a granular understanding of fidelity shifts during this critical period.
Statistical analysis revealed that parents—individuals juggling the complexities of caregiving alongside pandemic-associated economic and psychological stressors—were significantly more likely than non-parents to express an increased desire to engage in infidelity compared to their own pre-pandemic baselines. Furthermore, parents also reported higher actual engagement in infidelity acts as perceived by their partners. This pattern suggests that the pandemic amplified vulnerabilities among parents, potentially by straining relationship satisfaction and arousing unmet emotional or physical needs.
Consistent with an extensive body of literature on gender differences in romantic and sexual behavior, the survey uncovered that men, in general, exhibited a greater propensity than women both in the increased desire for and participation in infidelity during the pandemic. These findings corroborate established psychological and sociological theories positing that male sexuality often displays greater fluidity and opportunism under duress or dissatisfaction. However, the expectation that parental status would amplify these gendered patterns disproportionately in fathers was not fully supported.
Intriguingly, the data showed that fatherhood and motherhood were similarly associated with elevated interest in and engagement with infidelity, challenging traditional assumptions that male parents would exhibit the highest susceptibility. Instead, it appears that the pandemic’s stressors transcended gender-specific behavioral norms, affecting mothers and fathers alike. This observation underscores the extent to which the exceptional external pressures of the COVID-19 crisis might override entrenched sociocultural patterns that typically govern infidelity dynamics.
Underlying this phenomenon are complex psychological mechanisms triggered by external stress. High-stress scenarios, such as those imposed by a global pandemic—with lockdowns, economic uncertainty, health fears, and caregiving strain—can undermine relationship stability, reduce relational satisfaction, and weaken emotional bonds. Such conditions may heighten the allure of infidelity as an escape or coping mechanism, or as an unmet attempt to regain autonomy or fulfillment. For parents, the interplay of added responsibilities with reduced social supports likely compounded these vulnerabilities.
Beyond individual psychology, the study points to broader sociological implications. The pandemic disrupted traditional support networks, childcare options, and social engagement, intensifying feelings of isolation and fatigue among parents. This unique context may explain the amplified rates of reported infidelity-related desires and behaviors, as relational dynamics were subjected to unrelenting strain. The equivalence found between maternal and paternal infidelity risk implies a leveling effect of stress that overrides gender-differentiated behaviors common under normal circumstances.
Importantly, the authors emphasize the need for targeted interventions and supports aimed at parents navigating tumultuous periods marked by collective crises. Relationship counseling, stress management programs, and accessible mental health services could mitigate the pressures that escalate the risks of infidelity and potential relational breakdown. These findings advocate for proactive strategies within communities and healthcare systems to bolster parental resilience and relational well-being during future societal upheavals.
Technically, the survey methodology harnessed self-reported measures, a common but inherently subjective tool in assessing sensitive topics like infidelity. Despite potential biases, the sizable sample and careful statistical controls provide robust evidence of significant trends. The precise operationalization of “infidelity” as behaviors recognized by partners adds ecological validity, capturing experiences most relevant to relational outcomes.
This research contributes a critical empirical perspective to an underexplored facet of pandemic psychosocial effects, filling a notable gap in existing literature. While numerous studies documented increased relationship strain and mental health declines during COVID-19, few have focused on how these stressors manifested as concrete changes in fidelity-related behavior. By integrating parenthood status and gender analyses, Dr. Campbell and colleagues offer an insightful multidimensional portrayal of relational dynamics under duress.
In sum, the findings highlight how extraordinary external stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic can exacerbate latent vulnerabilities that precipitate infidelity, particularly among parents and men. It invites a reframing of infidelity not merely as a personal moral failing but as a multifactorial phenomenon intertwined with social context, psychological resilience, and relationship health. As societies contemplate post-pandemic recovery, recognizing and addressing these relational fissures remains vital.
The open-access nature of this study ensures that practitioners, policymakers, and the general public can engage with the findings freely, fostering informed discourse and evidence-based support initiatives. Future research might extend these insights by exploring the role of coping mechanisms, communication strategies, and socio-economic variables in modulating infidelity risk during ongoing or future crises.
By shedding light on this delicate issue with scientific rigor and sensitivity, this groundbreaking survey underscores the profound human costs entwined with global emergencies—costs that ripple through homes and hearts, shaping the fabric of intimate bonds.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Infidelity among parents in committed relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic
News Publication Date: 13-Aug-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0329015
References: Campbell JT, Viegas de Moraes Leme LF, Gesselman AN (2025) Infidelity among parents in committed relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 20(8): e0329015.
Image Credits: Kaboompics.com, Pexels, CC0
Keywords: Infidelity, COVID-19 pandemic, Parents, Relationship stress, Gender differences, Committed relationships, Survey research, Psychological stress, Relationship satisfaction
