DECEPTION IN UNDERGRADUATE ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: WHO'S LYING AND CHEATING?

Undergraduates (11,497) at two mid size universities completed a self-administered 100 item online survey including items related to deception in one's romantic relationships. Over two thirds (69%) reported that they had lied, 44% reported that they had cheated and 16% reported that they had misrepresented their "body count" (number of previous partners) to a romantic partner. While other variables (being female, having been in an emotionally abusive relationship and having been pressured to have sex by a partner), had higher explanatory value than race, respondents from minority groups reported higher lying and cheating rates than white respondents, potentially due to societal and cultural variables (MEES: mundane extreme environmental stress theory). Results may assist family life educators/practitioners to better understand the behaviors and experiences of college students in regard to romantic relationships, STIs, infidelity and the promotion of fulfilling relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]