Betrayal is rarely expected in close relationships
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 11, 2026, 49% of Americans said they rarely or never expect betrayal in close relationships. This includes 28% who said rarely and 21% who said never.
Nearly half said they expect betrayal at least sometimes (46%), with 30% who said sometimes, 9% who said often, and 7% who said almost always. Another 5% said they were not sure.
Topline distribution
49% of Americans rarely or never expect betrayal in close relationships.
How often do you expect betrayal in close relationships?
n = 1,000 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 11, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | society |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
How often do you expect betrayal in close relationships?
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.