A Study of the Processes and Contextual Factors of Marital Infidelity

Abstract

Objective: An increase in post-marital relationships has had adverse consequences. One of the consequences is family dissolution and the breakdown of social units (families). The present study aimed to study the processes and contextual factors of marital infidelity. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory method. The research population included couples who experienced marital infidelity. A total of 32 participants were selected using the purposive sampling method in 2019. We conducted semi-structured interviews with the participants to collect the study data, and the interviews continued until the data saturation. The collected data were systematically analyzed in three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. Results: Analysis of the data collected revealed 51 codes extracted through open coding. Then, the extracted codes were merged into 10 categories via axial coding. These categories included four themes: the formation of the context of marital infidelity, predictions of marital infidelity, engaging in marital infidelity, and the consequences of marital infidelity. Conclusion: Given that marital infidelity is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, the insights from this study can be used to develop models to identify and prevent predictors of marital infidelity.

Condutas masculinas para o estupro marital reveladas por mulheres

“…Imerso nessa realidade, o estudo sugere, ainda, que as mulheres submetem-se aos abusos sexuais acreditando que assim evitarão a infidelidade do parceiro. Em que pesem estudos que corroboram acerca da interface entre privação da relação sexual pela mulher e infidelidade masculina, importante pontuar que, mesmo com a vida sexual ativa com suas parceiras, muitos homens vivem relacionamentos extraconjugais, incitados por outros motivos, como a busca de algo novo, de liberdade e de aventura (22) . Não podemos desconsiderar que, no campo da masculinidade, a infidelidade vem sendo atrelada ao comportamento do homem, que é estimulado, desde a tenra idade, a ser viril e a exacerbar a sua sexualidade.…”

Model of Cheating in a Romantic Relationship

“…The betrayed partner often experiences intense emotional pain, leading to shattered trust, heartbreak, and a profound sense of loss (Stosny, 2013). The aftermath of infidelity gives rise to communication breakdowns, conflicts, and a toxic atmosphere, affecting the overall dynamics of the relationship (Atapour, Falsafinejad, Ahmadi, Khodabakhshi-Koolaee, 2021). Rebuilding trust and addressing the aftermath of cheating necessitate open communication, commitment to emotional connection, and, in some cases, seeking professional help through couples counseling.…”

Sexually transmitted infection (STI): A malady with skewed marital unfaithfulness, the Nigerian experience

“…More than 1 million STIs are acquired everyday world wide (WHO, 2021). Evidence suggests that marital infidelity has existed in history long before the Middle Ages and is one single course that fuels the spread of STIs, and constitutes the most significant threats to the stability of adult relationships, including marriage and divorce globally (Atapour et al, 2021). Furthermore, some cultural practices in Africa inadvertently promote marital unfaithfulness (Shrout and Weigel, 2017), with far reaching implications to reproductive health, family health and the sanctity of marriage.…”

“…Across the globe, infidelity is a problem facing many families and societies. In Western countries, it has been estimated that between 25 and 50% of divorcees cited a spouse's infidelity as the primary cause of the divorce (Scotts et al, 2013;Atapour et al, 2021). Motives for infidelity distinguished by Vowel et al (2022) include sexuality, emotional dissatisfaction, social context, attitudes-norms, revenge-hostility, among others.…”