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“Once a cheater, always a cheater” is too absolute—but previous cheating does predict increased risk.
A longitudinal study followed 484 adults across two romantic relationships.
People who reported sexual infidelity in their first relationship were approximately three times as likely to report sexual infidelity in their next relationship compared with people who hadn't cheated.
The researchers also studied suspicion and experiences of being cheated on across relationships.
Importantly, increased probability isn't destiny.
Many people who cheated previously did not report cheating in the next relationship.
Still, someone's relationship history can provide meaningful information about future behavior.
© Archives of Sexual Behavior (2018)