Individual healing from infidelity and breakup for emerging adults: a grounded theory

Objective: Infidelity is a relationship betrayal that can lead to significant negative individual and relational outcomes. When infidelity leads to relationship dissolution, this can further exacerbate these challenges. The purpose of the present study is to develop a grounded theory of the process...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social and personal relationships 2022-06, Vol.39 (6), p.1814-1838
Main Authors: Fife, Stephen T., Theobald, Alex C., Gossner, Jacob D., Yakum, Britney N., White, Kelsey L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Betrayal
Clinical assessment
Dating
Dissolution
Grounded theory
Healing
Infidelity
Wandering
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Summary:Objective: Infidelity is a relationship betrayal that can lead to significant negative individual and relational outcomes. When infidelity leads to relationship dissolution, this can further exacerbate these challenges. The purpose of the present study is to develop a grounded theory of the process of healing from infidelity and consequent relationship dissolution for non-straying partners who are emerging adults. Methods: We employed constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2014) to conduct and analyze semi-structured interviews with 22 emerging adults who had experienced infidelity in a dating relationship and were no longer with their former partner. Results: We present a grounded theory of the process of healing from infidelity and breakup for emerging adults consisting of four stages and three interrelated dimensions—emotional, relational, and personal—within a healing context of supportive relationships. Unhelpful contact with the former partner constituted a significant setback to healing. Conclusion: This study builds on previous research about healing from infidelity (O’Connor & Canevello, 2019) and relationship breakup (Hebert & Popadiuk, 2008) for emerging adults and highlights the importance of supportive relationships and attending to emotional, relational, and personal dimensions of healing. Our findings also suggest that clinical assessment and intervention should address these aspects of healing and be informed by elapsed time since infidelity and relationship dissolution.
ISSN:0265-4075
1460-3608
DOI:10.1177/02654075211067441