Secret romance likely to be problematic

ATHENS, Ga., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Two psychologists say that while secret love affairs may sound romantic the reality is more likely to be one of strain and guilt.

"Secret relationships seem fun and exciting to many people, but the results of our research do not support that view," said Craig Foster of the U.S. Air Force Academy. "Individuals in secret romantic relationships consistently report lower levels of relationship quality."

Foster and W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia used three studies involving surveys of University of North Carolina students. Their findings are scheduled to be published in the March issue of Personal Relationships.

Foster and Campbell say that people involved in secret relationships report that the first two weeks are difficult -- and then things go downhill.

They said that there are a number of reasons people give for maintaining secrecy. In some cases, the relationships are homosexual and in others they cross religious, racial or ethnic lines.