@drkathynickerson: Are there warning signs that someone might be more likely to cheat? After more than 26 years of helping couples heal from infidelity, I’ve noticed several characteristics that frequently show up in people who have affairs. Here are 5 risk factors I would pay attention to: 1. Avoidant attachment: Difficulty with emotional intimacy, vulnerability, and having uncomfortable conversations. 2. Higher narcissistic tendencies: Struggles with empathy, accountability, and considering how their choices affect others. 3. Poor communication and coping skills: Difficulty expressing painful emotions, managing stress, resolving conflict, or asking for help. 4. Family history of infidelity: Growing up in an environment where cheating, secrecy, or betrayal was modeled or normalized. 5. Substance abuse: Problems with alcohol or drugs that can contribute to impaired judgment, emotional avoidance, and impulsive decisions. Now, here’s something REALLY important. These are potential risk factors, NOT guarantees that someone will cheat. Plenty of people have these characteristics and never have an affair. And plenty of people who cheat don’t fit this profile. Here’s the good news: People can learn, grow, and change! If someone has cheated, it doesn’t mean they’re destined to cheat again. But meaningful change requires more than simply promising to be faithful. We need to understand WHY the affair happened. What emotional pain were they experiencing? What were they trying to escape or avoid? What unhealthy coping strategies were they using? And most importantly, what healthier skills can they develop to handle difficult emotions, communicate honestly, and protect their relationship? Affair recovery isn’t just about stopping the cheating. It’s about understanding and changing the patterns that made cheating a possible choice in the first place. I’d love to hear from you. What warning signs have you noticed in partners who ultimately cheated? And please remember, once a cheater does NOT always mean always a cheater. People really can change. #infidelityrecovery #infidelityhealing #cheating #affairs #betrayaltrauma

Dr Kathy Nickerson

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Wednesday 14 October 2026 18:00:19 GMT