Defining Infidelity in Research and Couple Counseling: A Qualitative Study

Summary & key facts

The study interviewed seven experienced couple counselors who work with heterosexual couples about how they define infidelity. Using thematic analysis, the researchers found many different and often conflicting views. The authors say these results support seeing infidelity as socially constructed, and they note that clear definitions matter for research and therapy.

Key facts:

• The study interviewed seven experienced couple counselors about infidelity in their work with heterosexual couples.
• Researchers analyzed the interview transcripts using thematic analysis, a method for finding themes in qualitative data.
• Counselors reported a wide and often conflicting range of definitions of infidelity rather than a single agreed definition.
• The authors conclude the findings support understanding infidelity as socially constructed—meaning people’s definitions depend on social context and beliefs.
• The paper notes that research on how to define infidelity is limited and that having a clear definition is important for theory, research, and clinical work.

Abstract

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.

Topics

Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior Marriage and Sexual Relationships Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Categories

Social Sciences Sociology and Political Science

Tags

Computer science Construct (python library) Field (mathematics) Mathematics Programming language Psychology Pure mathematics Qualitative research Social psychology Social science Sociology Thematic analysis