"I don't know the reasons why exactly, but we do see that people who grow up with both parents married to each other, they're less likely to cheat," Wang told CNA. "I think it is important to see how a steady family, a stable marriage actually could help even in your children's marriage quality."
Wang's research also indicated that cheaters - both men and women - are more likely to be divorced or separated than non-cheaters.
"Men who cheated are more likely than their female peers to be married. Among men who have cheated on their spouse before, 61% are currently married, while 34% are divorced or separated. However, only 44% of women who have cheated before are currently married, while 47% are divorced or separated," Wang wrote in her post.
However, the data doesn't indicate whether men are more likely to remain married to the spouse whom they cheated on, or to remarry after infidelity, Wang said.
"Basically the question is who's more likely to forgive their cheating spouse? I don't have numbers for that," Wang said. "What I see here is we definitely see a consequence for cheating."
Part of the reason for the discrepancy among marriage rates after infidelity could be the differing reasons why men and women cheat, Wang said. Cheating men may more often act out of physical impulses, while women who cheat may be more likely to be emotionally involved in their affairs, and more likely to divorce as a result of them, she said.
"That might explain some of the gender difference there, but it's hard to say," she said.
Overall, Wang said that the data and analysis are important, especially as more accusations of sexual misconduct come out against celebrities and politicians, many of whom are married.
"That's why I was interested to take a look and see the data; it is amazing to see how things have changed in a few months," Wang said.
Wang said what couples can take from the analysis is that "there's consequences to cheating...I just wanted people to be aware that there's consequences to cheating and it's very detrimental to a relationship."
Mary Farrow worked as a staff writer for Catholic News Agency until 2020. She has a degree in journalism and English education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.