A multitheoretical intervention for promoting recovery from extramarital affairs.
Abstract
Extramarital affairs are a widespread problem for couples and for marital therapists. In this article we conceptualize affairs as interpersonal trauma and propose a multitheoretical approach for addressing characteristic responses to affairs. We also discuss how forgiveness may be a key element in promoting recovery from affairs and outline a three-stage model of forgiveness that has previously been validated by basic research. Next, we describe a marital intervention for recovery from infidelity based on a multitheoretical approach and our three-stage model of forgiveness. The treatment model consists of three stages: an “impact” stage, a “meaning” stage, and a “moving on” stage. Finally, we consider individual differences in affect and development that may moderate responses to affairs and outline additional conceptual and empirical issues directing future research.
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Specific emotional manifestations of infidelity-based trauma include feelings of extreme anger, betrayal, insecurity, rage, shame, guilt, jealousy and sadness.
“Specific emotional manifestations of infidelity-based trauma include feelings of extreme anger, betrayal, insecurity, rage, shame, guilt, jealousy and sadness [24,31,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40].”
From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [35]
Attachment-based trauma, as seen in extradyadic affairs, should be regarded as a valid traumatic experience, but should also be nuanced and critically distinct to that of PTSD trauma.
“It is therefore suggested that attachment-based trauma, as seen in extradyadic affairs, should be regarded as a valid traumatic experience, but should also be nuanced and critically distinct to that of PTSD trauma [30,35,55].”
From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [35]
Both clients and therapists agree that forgiveness is a significant part of individual and relationship healing after a severe interpersonal betrayal.
“Both clients and therapists agree that forgiveness is a significant part of individual and relationship healing after a severe interpersonal betrayal (Fenell, 1993;Gordon and Baucom, 1999).”
From Facilitating forgiveness in the treatment of infidelity: an interpersonal model (2013) · cites this paper as Gordon and Baucom, 1999
Forgiveness is an essential aspect of treatment and healing for couples who have experienced infidelity.
“One essential aspect of treatment and healing for couples who have experienced infidelity is forgiveness.”
From Facilitating forgiveness in the treatment of infidelity: an interpersonal model (2013) · cites this paper as Gordon and Baucom, 1999
Cites
Baucom, D. H., Shoham, V., Mueser, K. T., Daiuto, A. D., & Stickle, T. R. (1998) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.66.1.53 · Cited by 608 · see citing works
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An Integrative Intervention for Promoting Recovery From Extramarital Affairs
Gordon, K. C., Baucom, D. H., & Snyder, D. K. (2004) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2004.tb01235.x · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Self-citationFacilitating forgiveness in the treatment of infidelity: an interpersonal model
Fife, S. T., Weeks, G. R., & Stellberg‐Filbert, J. (2013) · Journal of Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6427.2011.00561.x · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Treating couples recovering from infidelity: An integrative approach
Gordon, K. C., Baucom, D. H., & Snyder, D. K. (2005) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.20189 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Self-citationLove and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences
Rokach, A., & Chan, S. H. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20053904 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
“It is therefore suggested that attachment-based trauma, as seen in extradyadic affairs, should be regarded as a valid traumatic experience, but should also be nuanced and critically distinct to that of PTSD trauma [30,35,55].”
BackgroundThe aftershocks of infidelity: a review of infidelity-based attachment trauma
Warach, B., & Josephs, L. (2021) · Sexual and Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2019.1577961 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
An Integrative Approach to Treating Infidelity
Snyder, D. K., Baucom, D. H., & Gordon, K. C. (2008) · The Family Journal · doi:10.1177/1066480708323200 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Self-citationInfidelity and Behavioral Couple Therapy: Relationship Outcomes Over 5 Years Following Therapy
Marín, R. A., Christensen, A., & Atkins, D. C. (2014) · Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/cfp0000012 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
The Traumatic Nature of Disclosure for Wives of Sexual Addicts
Steffens, B. A., & Rennie, R. L. (2006) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity · doi:10.1080/10720160600870802 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Posttraumatic Growth in Relationally Betrayed Women
Laaser, D., Putney, H. L., Bundick, M., Delmonico, D. L., & Griffin, E. J. (2017) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.12211 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
- Authors
- Gordon, K. C., & Baucom, D. H.
- Venue
- Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
- Published
- 1999
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 382-399
- ISSN
- 0969-5893 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-2850
- OpenAlex
- W2154933107
- Cited by
- 83
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Psychology Science and Practice (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Forgiveness and Related Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- adultery, infidelity, couple therapy, interpersonal trauma, forgiveness, couples, developmental differences
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