Cheaters, Deconstructed

He Has Low Self-Esteem

The lagging economy might take a toll on our relationships, too. "Some men who suffer from low self-esteem—due to job loss or financial hardship—might cheat as a way to feel more powerful and significant, while other men who subconsciously don't feel good enough or feel like a loser might cheat to subconsciously sabotage their relationship, because they don't feel deserving," says Wanis. He calls this the Law of Deservedness: "You only get what you subconsciously believe you deserve; otherwise, you sabotage it, push it away or don't enjoy it."