INFIDELITY IN COMMITTED RELATI0NSHIPS II: A SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW
Abstract
This article, a follow-up on our methodological review of infidelity studies, provides a substantive review of the research findings on infidelity in committed relationships. The aim of this article is to present the most conclusive findings available to both researcher and practitioner on the subject of infidelity. We highlight attitudes toward infidelity; prevalence data; types of infidelity; gender dynamics and infidelity; issues in the primary relationship and their relationship to infidelity; race, culture, and infidelity; education, income, employment, and infidelity; justifications for infidelity; individual issues and their relationship to infidelity; same-sex couples and infidelity; attachment and infidelity; opportunity and infidelity; the aftermath and recovery process from infidelity; and clinical practices.
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The traumatic reactions caused by infidelity emulate behaviors and attitudes seen in a disorganized attachment style, with immense emotional, psychological and cognitive dysregulation evident among afflicted romantic partners.
“The traumatic reactions caused by infidelity emulate behaviors and attitudes seen in a disorganized attachment style as immense emotional, psychological and cognitive dysregulation is evident amongst these afflicted romantic partners [5,30].”
From Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences (2023) · cites this paper as [5]
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BackgroundA prototype analysis of infidelity
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“The term infidelity also refers to a sexual or emotional act carried out by one partner in a committed relationship that takes place outside of the primary relationship and constitutes a betrayal of trust and/or a violation of established norms (overt and covert) (Blow & Hartnett, 2005).”
- Authors
- Blow, A. J., & Hartnett, K.
- Affiliations
- Saint Louis University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Blow, Adrian J.
- ORCID
- Blow, Adrian J.
- Venue
- Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-04
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 217-233
- ISSN
- 0194-472X (ISSN-L)
- 1752-0606
- OpenAlex
- W2017803461
- Cited by
- 348
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 23.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Keywords
- infidelity, committed relationships, attitudes toward infidelity, gender differences, race and culture, socioeconomic factors, same-sex couples, attachment, opportunity, clinical practice
- MeSH terms
- Culture, Ethnicity, Extramarital Relations, Family Characteristics, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Socioeconomic Factors
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