Defining Infidelity in Research and Couple Counseling: A Qualitative Study

Infidelity can destroy relationships, but there is long-standing debate in the field about how best to define the construct. A clear definition of infidelity is important theoretically, empirically, and therapeutically; however, research on the topic is limited. This study explores how seven experie...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sex & marital therapy 2015-09, Vol.41 (5), p.487-497
Main Authors: Moller, Naomi P., Vossler, Andreas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Couples Therapy - methods
Extramarital Relations - psychology
Female
Heterosexuality
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Marriage counseling
Personal relationships
Qualitative Research
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior - psychology
Spouses - psychology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Infidelity can destroy relationships, but there is long-standing debate in the field about how best to define the construct. A clear definition of infidelity is important theoretically, empirically, and therapeutically; however, research on the topic is limited. This study explores how seven experienced couple counselors define infidelity on the basis of their work with heterosexual couples presenting with this issue. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview transcripts and research findings suggest a rich web of conflicting definitions of infidelity for couples counselors and, in their accounts, clients. The findings support an understanding of infidelity as socially constructed and the implications of this for the field are discussed.
ISSN:0092-623X
1521-0715
DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2014.931314