5th February 1929: English actress Adrianne Allen in the arms of actor Patrick Suzande in a scene from the show ‘Always Afternoon’ at London’s Lyric Theatre. (Photo by Sasha/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A recent study involving almost 600 women and 500 men revealed an unexpected trend during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic – parents were more likely to engage in infidelity. The researchers noted that the pandemic had significant impacts on personal and social aspects, particularly in terms of connectedness. Lockdowns and social distancing measures intensified feelings of stress and loneliness, placing strain on existing romantic and sexual relationships. Parents, in particular, experienced heightened stress levels compared to those without children.
The study, conducted from January 2021 to January 2021, examined the effects of the pandemic on individuals’ romantic relationships and sex lives. Participants were asked about their engagement in behaviors that could be considered infidelity by their partners and their likelihood of pursuing other sexual partners without informing their current partner.
Surprisingly, the study found that the overall desire for infidelity among the 1070 participants was relatively low. Only 19% reported feeling more tempted to cheat on their partners, with a similar percentage admitting to engaging in some form of infidelity during the pandemic. The researchers emphasized the complex role of social distancing measures in limiting physical contact.
The study authors highlighted parenthood as a potential vulnerability during the pandemic, suggesting that having children within a romantic relationship could lead to unmet emotional or sexual needs. This, in turn, might increase the desire for infidelity or actual engagement in such behaviors. They predicted that parents may be more prone to reporting an increased desire for infidelity and a higher likelihood of engaging in infidelity during the pandemic.
The study was published in the journal PLoS One in August 2025.
