The Risk for Marital Infidelity Across a Year-Long Deployment

Pre- and post-deployment data from 63 married male Airmen was used to explore the prevalence and risk factors associated with marital infidelity (either emotional or physical), committed by the Service member, their spouse, or both partners, following a year-long deployment to Iraq. Results indicate that sexual infidelity during a deployment cycle were higher than civilian estimates. A variety of relationship factors were associated with an increased risk of infidelity during or immediately (6-9 months) following a deployment.