"It Can Even Lead to It": 5 Ways Cheating Rumours Affect Marriage
Cheating rumours can have a devastating impact on marriages
Rumours of cheating in marriage can trigger negative emotions such as anger, insecurity and resentment.
These emotions can lead to conflicts, arguments and even violence. Rumours can also affect the self-esteem and mental health of both partners, their children and other family members.
Legit.ng compiled five ways cheating rumours can affect marriages after an extensive study of the National Library of Medicine's Love and Infidelity.

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01. Cheating rumours can erode trust and intimacy
Trust and intimacy are essential for a healthy marriage, but they can be damaged by cheating rumours, even if they are false.
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Cheating rumours can create doubt, insecurity, and resentment in a spouse, who may feel hurt, angry, and betrayed by their partner. The stories can also affect the self-esteem and confidence of the accused spouse, who may feel unfairly judged, misunderstood, or rejected by their partner.
02. It can increase conflict and stress
Cheating rumours can trigger negative emotions and reactions in both spouses, such as shame, defensiveness, or denial. These emotions can lead to more arguments, accusations, and blame in the relationship, which can escalate into verbal or physical aggression.
Cheating rumours can also create stress for spouses, who may experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, or health problems due to emotional turmoil.
03. It can reduce sexual satisfaction and frequency
Cheating rumours can affect the sexual aspect of the marriage in several ways.
For some spouses, cheating rumours can cause a loss of sexual desire or interest in their partner or a fear of being compared or rejected by their partner.
For the accused spouse, cheating rumours can cause a loss of sexual confidence or performance anxiety.
Cheating rumours can also create a sense of distance or detachment between spouses, who may avoid physical contact or intimacy.
04. It can weaken commitment and loyalty
Commitment and loyalty are key factors for maintaining a monogamous relationship, but they can be undermined by cheating rumours.
Cheating rumours can make some spouses question their partner’s fidelity and devotion or make them feel less valued or appreciated by their partner.
It can also make the accused spouse question their partner’s trust and respect or feel less supported or understood by their partner.
Rumours can also tempt either spouse to seek validation or comfort from someone else outside the relationship.
05. It can increase the risk of actual infidelity
Cheating rumours can have a self-fulfilling prophecy effect on the marriage, where the spouses’ beliefs and expectations influence their behaviours and outcomes.
It can make the spouse more suspicious and vigilant of their partner’s actions, creating a hostile and oppressive environment for the spouse.
Cheating rumours can also make the accused spouse more resentful and rebellious of their partner’s accusations, creating a justification and opportunity for actual infidelity.
Addressing it as quickly as possible
All these effects of cheating rumours can harm the marital relationship and the mental health of both spouses.
Therefore, it is essential to address cheating rumours as soon as possible and seek professional help if needed.
Fans rejoice as Banky W and Adesua gush over each other amid alleged cheating
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that, to the relief of fans, Banky W and Adesua's marriage is not headed for divorce despite the alleged cheating scandal.
The singer-turned-pastor and his wife have been subjected to different controversial takes on social media, and they have finally shut the rumours up.
Adesua posted a promotional video on her Instagram page, and her husband took to the comment section to gush over her beauty.
Source: Legit.ng