Low self-esteem can cause people to be very dependent on the attentions of others—and in some cases, the attention of just one person isn't enough. It may also cause someone to feel insecure in their own relationship, so much so that they might cheat as a way of rejecting rather than being rejected.
Attachment insecurity in one or both partners in a relationship can predict marital infidelity, according to new research from Florida State University. Attachment insecurity, also called insecure attachment style, comes in two forms: attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance.
Low Self-Esteem
When, despite their constant reassurance that you are a good person, you keep tearing yourself down, they may give up and break up. These are just a few examples of how people with a fear of intimacy might sabotage their relationships.
Low self-esteem can give rise to jealousy and insecurity in a relationship. You may question your worthiness to your partner, and believe it is a fluke they like you. As such, it is normal for people with low self-esteem to expect their partner may be attracted to someone else or fear they will leave the relationship.
Being insecure
Another reason why someone might cheat is because they are insecure. "Usually, in this scenario, the partner that wants to cheat is seeking out confirmation of their desirability," Winter told INSIDER. "And they use the reinforcement of a new person to bolster their own self-confidence."
Research in the field of infidelity reveals that there are three distinct personality types correlated with a higher likelihood of cheating: sociopaths, narcissists, and lonely hearts.
For some, cheating is a way to explore repressed parts of the self. These cheaters don't actually want to change the core of who they are; they just want to escape the constraints of that for a little while. They're not looking for another person; they're looking for hidden versions of themselves.
Low self-esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do. They often feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate. People who struggle with low self-esteem are consistently afraid about making mistakes or letting other people down.
Low self-esteem might create a desire in you to avoid serious commitment and always keep an eye on the exit. For example, you might develop a deep fear of intimacy that will keep you from creating emotional ties with your partner.
The most important thing to remember is what cheating says about a person. They're insecure, impulsive, selfish, and immature. Sometimes, it's a chronic problem that likely won't ever be fixed, just be sure not to ignore the warning signs.
It can even turn you into a toxic person. If you're suffering from low self-esteem, it's important to recognize the situation you're in and all the ramifications associated with it.
And yet, the real answer to this significant question is this: It is absolutely possible that your partner does love you, did love you before, and will continue to love you in the future. Infidelity does not mean that the love is gone or never existed. The reality is that you can love someone and still cheat on them.
The non-anxious students made an average of 19 “clear cheats,” whereas the anxious ramped this up to 24. The more threatened the anxious felt, the more they cheated.
In many cases, people think their spouse is cheating on them because either they've cheated on someone in the past or are about to. Psychologists say that projection is a low-level coping skill, where people who cheat or think of cheating are likely to project the same thoughts on their partners.
Some of the many causes of low self-esteem may include: Unhappy childhood where parents (or other significant people such as teachers) were extremely critical. Poor academic performance in school resulting in a lack of confidence. Ongoing stressful life event such as relationship breakdown or financial trouble.
When it comes to loving men with low self-esteem, just remind yourself that it's not your doing. It's on them. Loving such a man can be challenging but through active listening and empathy, accepting hai defensive nature, healthy coping mechanisms, and encouraging him, you can navigate your way through this.
Self-esteem was lowest among young adults but increased throughout adulthood, peaking at age 60, before it started to decline.
Lowered self-esteem has been consistently found to occur in several psychiatric disorders. These include major depressive disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and alcohol and drug abuse.
It's really hard to understand why people cheat on people they love. Sometimes, people decide to cheat because they feel unloved, or like they have fallen out of love, with their partner. Sometimes, they feel the romance is gone from their relationship, and having an illicit romance gives them a sense of excitement.
Experts say it's possible for couples to go on to have a happy relationship after infidelity, provided they're willing to put in the work. “The couple can survive and grow after an affair,” says Coleman.