Men can’t cope under pressure! Married blokes are more likely to CHEAT than women when they’re stressed, study finds

Whether it’s a new job, a house move or having children, there are plenty of things that can trigger nerves or anxiety.

But ladies, beware – as a new study reveals men are more likely than women to have an affair during high–stress life events.

Researchers from Indiana University Bloomington surveyed more than 1,000 adults who were in committed heterosexual relationships during the first year of the Covid pandemic.

Participants were asked about whether they had engaged in any actions that their partner would consider to be infidelity.

Overall, 19 per cent of people said they had engaged in some form of infidelity during the pandemic – either online or in–person.

Analysis revealed that men were more likely than women to say their desire to be unfaithful increased during the pandemic.

They were also more likely to report having cheated on their significant other.

Experts said men may be ‘especially vulnerable’ to stressful events – and that these individuals may benefit from targeted support.

Experts said the findings suggest men may be ‘especially susceptible to infidelity–related risk factors during stressful life events’ (stock image)

The results, published in the journal Plos One, also showed that parents were more likely to have affairs than couples who did not have children.

However in this group, both mothers and fathers were just as likely as each other to cheat.

‘Our recent research found that parents, compared to non–parents, reported higher desire for and engagement in infidelity during periods of significant external stress, such as the COVID–19 pandemic,’ they said.

‘Men also reported greater desire and behaviour than women in general.

‘These findings suggest that parents, and men in particular, may be especially susceptible to infidelity–related risk factors during high–stress life events.

‘Targeted support for these individuals and their relationships may be especially important when navigating periods of collective or personal strain.’

Further analysis revealed that older participants reported a greater inclination towards cheating than younger participants.

This could suggest that longer–term relationships or accumulated life stress might impact relationship satisfaction, the team said.

Previous research has already suggested that the Covid pandemic strained many romantic and sexual relationships (stock image)

Previous research has already suggested that the Covid pandemic strained many romantic and sexual relationships.

And other studies suggest that high stress and relationship dissatisfaction may prompt some people to consider engaging in romantic or sexual infidelity.

According to the General Social Survey, which has tracked the social behaviours of people in the US for more than 50 years, approximately 10 per cent of married people engage in cheating in any given year.

Of these, 12 per cent are men and 7 per cent are women.

In the UK, around a third of marriages end in divorce and infidelity is one of the most commonly cited reasons.

ARE MEN WITH SHORT AND WIDE FACES MORE LIKELY TO CHEAT?

Researchers from Nipissing University in Canada looked at how different facial features affect sexual behaviours.

The study involved 314 undergraduate students who were in romantic relationships.

Each student completed a questionnaire about their behaviour, sex drive, sexual orientation, the chances they’d consider cheating, and how comfortable they were with the concept of casual sex.

The researchers also took a picture of each student to analyse their facial width-to-height ratios (FWHR).

Scientists have found that men and women with short and wide faces are more sexually motivated and likely to cheat than people with faces of other dimensions. Pictured is footballer, Wayne Rooney, who has previously cheated on his wife, Coleen

The results showed that men and women with a high FWHR – square and wide faces – reported a greater sex drive than others.

Men with a larger FWHR were also more easy-going when it comes to casual sex and would consider being unfaithful to their partners.

The researchers hope the findings will shed light on the role that facial features play in sexual relationships and mate selection.

Their research builds upon previous studies that have shown that certain psychological and behavioural traits are associated with particular facial width-to-height ratios (FWHR).

Square-faced men tend to be perceived as more aggressive, more dominant, more unethical, and more attractive as short-term sexual partners than men with thinner and longer faces.