An Examination of Potential Attractions of Women\u27s Marital Infidelity

Due to the growing prevalence and potential negative effects of marital infidelity, it is important for both clinicians and researchers to understand its occurrence. This study focused on examining the process an individual goes through when making the decision to have an affair. Semi-structured interviews were audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using the transcendental phenomenological model (Moustakas, 1994). The women reported developing relationships outside of their marriage, having support from family/friends for the extramarital relationship, and receiving positive attention from their affair partner. Clinical and research implications are discussed as well as the limitations of the current study

Permission-Giving and Marital Infidelity

The research used qualitative methods to begin exploring how individual’s decision-making enhances their risk of having a marital affair. Particularly how does a woman give herself permission to move forward with having an affair? Semistructured interviews were recorded with women who had a marital affair and then transcribed in preparation for coding. The transcendental phenomenological model was used to analyze the data collected. Sensitizing concepts were used as a base in identifying how participants were able to limit their cognitive dissonance as a way of giving themselves permission to have an affair. The results found four methods of limiting cognitive dissonance: not being worthy of loyalty, rationalization, guilt-free infidelity, and compartmentalization. Clinical implications are discussed

Risk Factors Associated with Women\u27s Marital Infidelity

This study used a qualitative approach to explore the complexity of marital infidelity and understand issues within the marriage that could increase the risk of having a marital affair. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore women\u27s participation in an extramarital affair(s). The information gathered was audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using the transcendental phenomenological model (Moustakas in Phenomenological research methods, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1994). All four of the women described a lack of quality time, inability to resolve conflict, and a lack of attention within the marriage as predisposing factors to the affair(s). Clinical and research implications are discussed. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Permission-Giving and Marital Infidelity

The research used qualitative methods to begin exploring how individual’s decision-making enhances their risk of having a marital affair. Particularly how does a woman give herself permission to move forward with having an affair? Semistructured interviews were recorded with women who had a marital affair and then transcribed in preparation for coding. The transcendental phenomenological model was used to analyze the data collected. Sensitizing concepts were used as a base in identifying how participants were able to limit their cognitive dissonance as a way of giving themselves permission to have an affair. The results found four methods of limiting cognitive dissonance: not being worthy of loyalty, rationalization, guilt-free infidelity, and compartmentalization. Clinical implications are discussed