Marital Infidelity

Objective Marital infidelity is a very painful phenomenon that can lead to divorce. This study was conducted with the aim of the role of cognitive flexibility and religious coping strategies in predicting the desire for divorce of women with experience of infidelity. Methods  The research method was descriptive-correlation. The statistical population included all women with experience of infidelity and referring to Rah-e-Naw counseling center in Birjand in 2020 that 89 people were selected by convenience sampling. The instruments used were Divorce Attitude Questionnaire (DTS), Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire (CFI) and Religious Coping Questionnaire (RCOPE). Pearson correlation test, multiple regression and SPSS-22 software were used to analyze the data. Results   The results of the correlation test showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between the desire for divorce with cognitive flexibility and positive religious confrontation and a positive and significant relationship between the desire for divorce and negative religious confrontation. Conclusion   Also, the results of regression analysis showed that cognitive flexibility and religious coping strategies together explain 34.8% of the variance of the desire to divorce. According to the findings, education and intervention in improving cognitive flexibility and religious coping strategies can be suggested as an effective method to reduce the desire for divorce.

The present study aims to predict the attitude towards marital infidelity based on attachment and perfectionism styles. The research method was correlational-descriptive and the statistical population was all married students of Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch. A sample of 369 students was selected by convenience sampling method. Adult Attachment Questionnaire, The Perfectionism Questionnaire and Attitude to Marital Infidelity Questionnaire were used to collect data. The research hypotheses were examined through Pearson correlation test and multiple regression and found that a significant correlation exists between marital infidelity with ambivalent attachment style (0.450), avoidant attachment style (0.348), safe style (-0.519), positive perfectionism (-0.403) and negative perfectionism (0.433). In addition, the multiple regression model indicated that attachment and perfectionism styles could accurately predict 34% and 25% of the variance of marital infidelity, respectively. The results indicated that creating a secure attachment style and positive perfectionism in individuals is related to reducing marital infidelity and consequently increasing family stability

Marital infidelity is a deeply damaging interpersonal event that triggers cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses in the affected spouse. This study aimed to examine the reactions and cognitive-behavioral-emotional coping mechanisms of women facing marital infidelity. The research methodology employed was applied both in its objective and qualitatively in its execution. The study sample comprised 18 women residing in Herat City, Afghanistan, who had experienced spousal infidelity and sought counseling in the year 2021. They were purposively selected and interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's (2021) thematic analysis method which resulted in the identification of three main themes chaos (initial reactions), involvement (secondary reactions), and revival, 11 subthemes (behavioral, psychological-emotional, mental, and psychosomatic response, changing circumstances, involvement in activities, companionship, adaptation, seeking therapy, self-care, and coerced continuation of the relationship) and 114 primary codes. The research findings indicated that the cognitive-behavioral-emotional process of Afghan women facing marital infidelity unfolds in three stages: chaos (initial reactions), involvement (secondary reactions), and revival. Furthermore, it was observed that affected women exhibit varied behaviors at each stage and undergo different emotions and thoughts. Factors such as the manner of infidelity disclosure, quality of marital relationship, religious beliefs, social and familial support, societal perspectives, limitations in choice, lifestyle, and the presence of children play significant roles in shaping their cognitive-behavioral-emotional responses. The practical implications of this research findings can be beneficial for counselors working with Afghan couples dealing with marital infidelity. Keywords: Behavioral-emotional reactions, Marital infidelity, Women, Afghanistan