While some transgressions in relationships may be trivial, those involving betrayal have significant impacts on relationships and can be significant contributors to it’s demise.
When someone in a relationship is unfaithful, it typically leaves their spouse to believe they are no longer trustworthy. Difficult to forgive, and perhaps impossible to be forgotten, infidelity cuts at the foundations of a relationship. Feelings of betrayal, distress and deceit result.
Infidelity has been found to be associated with depression, anxiety, PTSD in some cases, decreased self esteem, attachment issues and more. It is harmful and destructive- to one’s reputation, to one’s self and towards the dignity and respect of one’s partner.
Given the harmful effect it has, we need more research on creating interventions that prevent it’s occurrence and harmful effects in society. It is significant because of how common infidelity is today.
The definitions of infidelity
Infidelity is not only related to a physical act. Studies have show that emotional distress an individual endures is not necessarily through a sexual act their spouse committed, but more so the emotional intent behind it. In fact, both sexes have reported having stronger feelings of jealousy after finding out their partner had emotional involvement with someone else compared to their partner’s sexual involvement outside of the
relationship (Schützwohl et al., 2004).
Emotional Infidelity
Defined as “the occurence of emotional involvement with a third party that violates the ground rules established by the couple (for example, and not exhaustive: sharing deepest thoughts with another, falling in love with another, being vulnerable with each other, being more commited to another, spending more time or money on another)(Leeker &
Carlozzi., 2014 p. 69)
Someone who has intimate feelings for someone else without having participated in sexual conduct may hurt their spouse more deeply.
Cyber/Online infidelity
Virtual infidelity does not require physical proximity or interaction, yet it can still be harmful to the victims mental and emotional health. It is much easier to engage in due to our broad social media platform usage. It can leave just as heavy an impact on a victim’s metal well-being.
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