Embora o ciúme romântico e a infidelidade amorosa sejam dois importantes temas que afetam vários relacionamentos humanos e, também, um desafio para muitos destes, seus mecanismos de gênese, ação, associação e conseqüências que podem acarretar para os desdobramentos amorosos ainda não foram totalmente esclarecidos. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar possíveis associações entre estes dois fenômenos. Participaram desta pesquisa 45 casais de namorados heterossexuais com média de idade de 24,6 anos recrutados por meio de um anúncio colocado no site da Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Para avaliar os graus de ciúme dos participantes utilizou-se a Escala de Ciúme Romântico – ECR (versões masculina e feminina) de Ramos. Para avaliar a infidelidade dos participantes foi utilizado o Inventário de Comportamentos Relacionados à Infidelidade, confeccionado especialmente para este trabalho. Para poder analisar os resultados a seguir foram utilizadas as seguintes ferramentas estatísticas: média, desvio padrão, máximo, mínimo, o Teste t para comparação de médias e o teste não paramétrico Mann-Whitney para a comparação das medianas. Os softwares utilizados foram o Excel e o Minitab. Os resultados obtidos mostram que (1) ainda que de forma fraca, o ciúme é um agente de profecia auto-realizadora para a infidelidade (r= 0,25; 90 gl; p< 0,05 e r= 0,21; 90 gl; p< 0,05), de tal forma que há uma associação entre a infidelidade em ambos os parceiros (r=0,36; 45 gl; p< 0,05; r= 0,30; 45 gl; p< 0,05; r= 0,36; 45 gl; p< 0,01), (2) a partir dos dados analisados, pode-se afirmar que, para a nossa amostra, os sexos não diferem quanto à exibição do ciúme em termos de intensidade, (3) o sexo masculino tem tendência a trair mais do que o sexo feminino, provavelmente por razões ligadas à sexualidade (Teste W = 894,5; 826,0; 1496,5; p< 0.0001), (4) foi refutada a hipótese freudiana para a existência de um ciúme de natureza projetiva em homens e para as mulheres, (5) os comportamentos de infidelidade que mais se destacam entre os participantes são relacionados à rede internet (utilizar salas de bate papo, e-mails, mensagens on-line, dentre outros) e ter pensamentos relacionados aos comportamentos infiéis; ambos estão associados com o aumento das oportunidades que as pessoas têm de se engajarem em comportamentos amorosos infiéis, (6) há uma tendência, ainda que fraca, de quanto maior a auto-atribuição do escore “Nota física para si” menor será o número de comportamentos relacionados à infidelidade de seu(sua) parceiro(a) (r= -0,261; 90 gl; p< 0,01), (7) há uma tendência, ainda que fraca, de quanto a Nota física atribuída para o parceiro menor será o escore de ciúme, para ambas as etapas desta pesquisa (r= -0,217; 90 gl; p< 0,05 e r= - 0,205; 90 gl; p< 0,05, respectivamente), (8) nada se pode concluir com relação àqueles que se auto-atribuem notas quanto aos fatores psicológicos, em relação aos parceiros no que diz respeito ao ciúme, ou mesmo no que tange à infidelidade (9) quanto maior a idade dos participantes maior é o seu grau de comprometimento dos mesmos (r= 0,27; 90 gl; p< 0,01). Assim, pode-se concluir que os presentes resultados apoiaram algumas das hipóteses estabelecidas pelo autor desta pesquisa e foram consistentes com pesquisas anteriores, embora tenha refutado outras. Ainda pouco se conhece a respeito de quais os indivíduos são mais suscetíveis à infidelidade, mas este estudo permitiu identificar alguns fatores que promovem a infidelidade, algo que era muito pouco tratado pela literatura acadêmica até então. Dessa forma, o presente possibilitou uma melhor compreensão da dinâmica interpessoal amorosa, principalmente, referente a estes dois temas. Este estudo ainda, pode contribuir para outros estudos com o “Inventário de Comportamentos Relacionados à Infidelidade” que é útil para medir a freqüência de ocorrência de comportamentos amorosos infiéis. / Although the romantic jealousy and the loving infidelity are two important subjects that affect some human relationships and, also, a challenge for many of them, its origin mechanisms, action, association and consequences that can contribute to loving unfolding occur, haven’t had pretty well clarified. The present work has the intention of to verify possible associations between these two phenomena. Forty-five straight couples participated of this research with the average of 24.6 years enlisted by un announcement in the website of the University of São Paulo (USP). To evaluate the degrees of jealousy of the participants it was used the Scale of romantic jealousy - ECR (masculine and feminine versions) of Ramos, Yazawa & Salazar (1994). To evaluate the infidelity of the participants the “Inventory of Behaviors Related to the Infidelity” was especially elaborated for this work. To be able to analyze the results the following statistical tools had been used: average, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, the “T” test for comparison of averages and the test no parametric Mann-Whitney for the comparison of the medium ones. There were used Excel and Minitab soft wares. The results show that (1) although in a weak way, the jealousy is an agent of self-fulfilling prophecy for the infidelity (r= 0,25; 90 gl; p< 0,05 and r= 0,21; 90 gl; p< 0,05), in such a way that there is an association among the infidelity in both partners (r= 0,36; 45 gl; p< 0,05; r= 0,30; 45 gl; p< 0,05; r=0,36; 45 gl; p< 0,01), (2) starting from the analyzed data, it can be affirmed that, for our sample, the sexes don't differ as for the exhibition of the jealousy in intensity terms, (3) men usually tend to trail much more than women, maybe because of reasons connected to sexuality (“W” test = 894,5; 826,0; 1496,5; p< 0.0001), (4) the Freudian hypothesis was refuted for the existence of a jealousy of projective nature in men and for the women, (5) the infidelity behaviors that more they stand out among the participants are related to the use of the net internet (to use chats-rooms, e-mails, on-line messages, among other) and to have thoughts related to the behaviors infidels; both are associated with the increase of the opportunities that the people have of if they engage in behaviors loving infidels, (6) there is a tendency, although weak, of as larger the attribution of the score physical "Evaluation for itself" minor will be the number of behaviors related to his own infidelity (r= -0,261; 90 gl; p< 0,01), (7) there is a tendency even it is not strong, of as larger the physical Note attributed for the partner, smaller will be the jealousy score, for both stages of this research (r= -0,217; 90 gl; p<0,05 and r= - 0,205; 90 gl; p< 0,05, respectively), (8)There is nothing to conclude in relation to those people who give themselves superior or inferior grades, if the adopted criteria are the psychological factors, in relation to the partners in what it says respect to the jealousy, or even in what it refers to the infidelity (9) as the participants get older, the more they increase the level of commitment (r= 0,27; 90 gl; p< 0,01). So, it can be concluded that the results had supported some of the hypotheses established for the author of this research and had been consistent with previous research, although it has refuted others. There is a lot to know, regarding which individuals are more susceptible to the infidelity, but this research allowed, inside of its references, to identify and to discuss a little on some factors that promote the infidelity, something that has not been a common subject for the academic literature until then. This way, it was also possible to have a better understanding of the interpersonal love dynamics, mainly, referring to these two themes. This research can still contribute to other researches related to the “Inventory of Behaviors Related to the Infidelity” that is useful to measure the frequency the infidel love behaviors occur.

This article will address how a physiological understanding of trauma can be applied to working with couples in which an affair has initiated trauma symptoms. A brief introduction related to trauma symptomology, as well as its impact on the body, will be included. A case example will demonstrate how a counselor worked with a betrayed partner struggling with ongoing trauma symptoms. Finally, a brief discussion on why this process is particularly fitting for Adlerian clinicians will be presented.

Research on infidelity has suffered from inconsistency in how infidelity has been operationalized across studies. This study was designed to advance methodological considerations for defining infidelity and identifying offending spouses. A subjective definition of infidelity was obtained from each respondent via both closed- and open-ended items. The open-ended responses were applied to explore the definition of infidelity. Additionally, an indirect questioning method was adopted to identify offending spouses according to their own subjective definitions of cheating and test the effectiveness of this approach relative to direct questioning for identifying offending spouses. Furthermore, gender differences in acknowledging infidelity through both direct and indirect approaches in general as well as across the four self-defined categorical infidelity were examined. A community sample of 465 married or divorced individuals anonymously completed the survey via MTurk. Results showed two defining characteristics of infidelity that cut across modes of infidelity (sexual, emotional, computer-mediated, and solitary) were that infidelity occurs outside the relationship and without consent. The definition of infidelity of infidelity provided in response to an open-ended inquiry tended to be shorter among offending spouses—especially male offending spouses—than among non-offending spouses. More offending spouses were found via the indirect (42.9%) approach than the direct approach (12.7%), and more men than women acknowledged engaging in infidelity behaviors according to both the direct (16.6% vs. 9.1%) and indirect (48.2% vs. 38.0%) approaches. That said, gender-based statistical differences in propensity to commit self-defined infidelity were only found in sexual and computer-mediated forms of infidelity; propensity to commit self-defined emotional and solitary infidelity did not statistically differ between men and women; in all cases, however, gender differences were small. Results suggested that the indirect approach is better than direct questioning for identifying infidelity behaviors; the indirect approach elicited less social desirability bias. Implications for research and clinical practice are provided.

The current quantitative study examined perceptions of online infidelity using ANCOVA calculations to determine if significant differences existed between variables of gender, age, orientation. The study considered the applicability of sexual strategy theory (SST) in today's culture and whether it remains relevant in current to today's relationships. SST and previous research suggested a clear trend in differences in perceptions of infidelity based on gender and age, with more mixed results in differences based on sexuality. This study expanded previous research by surveying 148 younger and older demographics, as well as men and women who are in opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. Results indicated no significant differences between emerging adults (21-29 years) and adults (30-45 years), same-sex and heterosexual couples. These findings challenge the applicability of SST to modern day relationships but need to be interpreted carefully due to several limitations of this study including unequal representation of men and same-sex couples. These findings can be considered when addressing online infidelity in individual or couple's counseling. A better understanding of the individual differences in the definition of infidelity has important positive social change implications of showing how online behaviors may affect beliefs on the difficult subject of emotional and sexual infidelity in relationships. Further studies with a larger study group as well as studies on how all media may change cultural values would be useful.

Infidelity violates a western norm that a range of interpersonal behaviours should remain exclusive in committed romantic relationships. Once exposed, the aftermath can be detrimental to all concerned. However, despite a cultural majority endorsing this belief and apprised of the potential consequences of its violations, infidelity or extradyadic relationships are widespread. Furthermore, individual differences in beliefs about what constitutes infidelity blur the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, making the concept of unfaithfulness difficult to fully describe. This variation in attitudes and behaviour, along with the consistent media attention infidelity attracts affirms the enigmatic nature of the behaviour. In response, an aim of the study was to clarify the construct of infidelity among a contemporary Australian sample. This was achieved in two ways. Firstly, the study examined beliefs and behaviours associated with unfaithfulness using qualitative (focus group) and largely quantitative (survey) data. Secondly, the study involved investigation of the association between infidelity and several individual, relationship and environmental variables. Differences in relationships and environmental conditions can be conceptualised within the theoretical framework of the investment model, while adult attachment theory and a lovestyles typology offer theoretical underpinnings to the study of individual differences. Specifically, the aim of this stage of the study was to examine how adult attachment styles (anxious, avoidant), lovestyles (eros, ludus, storge, mania, pragma, agape), relationship variables (satisfaction, investment, commitment), and an environmental variable (perceived alternatives) predicted infidelity. The sample comprised 243 women and 69 men between the ages of 18 and 60 years (M = 31.3 years, SD = 11.9) who were currently in a romantic relationship of at least one year or who had recently been in such a relationship. Participants completed measures pertaining to attachment, lovestyles and various aspects of relationship quality in addition to several measures of extradyadic behaviour. The study found that infidelity, as defined by respondents, was engaged in by 20% of individuals in their current relationships and by 42% of individuals in their previous relationships. Regarding the nature of infidelity, the current findings indicated that various sexual and emotional behaviours carried out with someone other than one's primary partner were considered unfaithful by the vast majority, while fantasy and flirting behaviours were generally seen as acceptable. It was noteworthy, however, that a substantial minority also viewed fantasy as unfaithful, underlining the inherent complexity of the construct. The hypotheses concerning the variables predicting infidelity were partially supported. Results suggested that individuals most likely to engage in extradyadic behaviour were those with an avoidant attachment style or a Ludus lovestyle, more perceived alternatives to their relationship, and most unexpectedly, higher levels of investment in their relationship. Conversely, those least likely to engage in these behaviours were those with an Eros Lovestyle and greater levels of commitment to their relationship. The study confirmed the prevalence of infidelity and emphasised the differential attitudes, behaviours and motivations associated with it. These differences are discussed in relation to the theories presented and an argument is made for research on infidelity to take a broader focus, one that includes the combined aspects of individuals, their relationships and the environment. Implications of these findings for individuals and couples and for the professionals who work with them are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.

Uppsatsen syftar till att redogöra för den subjektiva upplevelsen av att bli bedragen i en nära relation och är således en fenomenologisk ansats. Undersökningen har baserats på tre kvalitativa intervjuer, där de intervjuade redogjort för sin subjektiva upplevelse av att bli bedragen samt definierat begreppet otrohet. Vi har utgått från teorier om skam, skuld och stigma för att kartlägga hur upplevelsen påverkat självet. Scheffs teorier om sociala band har använts för att beskriva påverkan på individens förhållanden till andra. Vi har upptäckt att en monogam relation inte är ett krav för att otrohet ska uppfattas. Det har även framgått att omgivningens reaktioner spelar roll, på så sätt att de antingen sökte stöd från vänner, eller aktivt undanhöll ämnet från dem. Vidare har vi även upptäckt att intervjupersonerna som blivit bedragna tenderar att skuldbelägga sig själva, känna skam över händelsen samt utveckla en starkare grad av svartsjuka – som en förändring av självet. / Based on three qualitative interviews, our research has set out to phenomenologically describe the experience of being cheated on (or in other words, infidelity). The three people we interviewed were to describe their subjective experiences and also provide their own definition of what they considered to be infidelity. Theories on shame, guilt and stigma has been used to describe the experience's implications ”the self”. The theory of ”Social bonds” by Scheff has been used to describe implications on social relationships. We've discovered that infidelity can take place even in a relationship that's not monogamous. We've also discovered that the reaction from others plays a big part - the persons either sought support among friends, or actively withheld information from them. The effects the experience had on the persons' self were the following: they tended to blame themselves, feel shameful about the incident and after the infidelity had occurred, developed stronger feelings of jealousy.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictor role of type of infidelity, trait positive affect, and coping on forgiveness via marital satisfaction. In addition, present study aimed to examine gender differences in the proposed relationships among study variables. Demographic Information Form, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory (TRIM), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and Turkish Ways of Coping Inventory (TWCI) were administered to 122 married individuals. Results indicated that 1) marital satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between types of infidelity and forgiveness / 2) marital satisfaction mediated the relationship between trait positive affect and forgiveness / 3) marital satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between problem focused-coping and forgiveness while marital satisfaction mediated the relationship between emotionfocused coping and forgiveness / 4) gender differences in proposed relationships among study variables were rejected because men and women have similar parameters for the proposed model. After findings were evaluated, limitations were discussed with an emphasis on recommendations for future research, and implications for clinical psychology were mentioned.

The aims of the present study are to examine the traumatic effects of EMI on the offended partners as well as to find out the predictors (coping, resources, and forgiveness) of the severity of PTSD. The participants of the study consisted of 189 married women who had continued their marriage after discovery of partners&rsquo / EMI. EMI was assessed with one item measure with the six-point continuum starting from &ldquo / entirely sexual&rdquo / to &ldquo / entirely emotional&rdquo / involvement. The instruments of the study: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR), Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI), The Conservation of Resources Evaluation (COR-E), and Forgiveness Inventory (FI: its reliability and validity study was completed for the present study). Although EMI is a traumatic event that was not consist with the DSM-IV, the results of the present study revealed that 34.4% of participants completed the whole DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. More specifically, the rates of participants who met the criteria were: 50.7% A (stressor), 97.9% B (intrusive recollection), 85.2% C (avoidant/numbing), 91.0% D (hyper-arousal), 93.1% E (duration), 85.7% F (functional significance). In addition, the results of the present study showed: Coping / problem-focused group had lower PTSD than emotion-focused coping groups, Resource / a resource loss group had higher PTSD than resource gain group, and Forgiveness / stage I-impact group showed the highest PTSD whereas the stage III-recovery group showed the lowest PTSD. Furthermore, the final model of regression analyses revealed the predictors of PTSD total symptom severity as emotion-focused coping, resource gain, and stage I-impact, and these variables explained 46 % of the total variance. The results were discussed in accordance with the relevant literature.

This study examined advice interactions following infidelity. Participants (N = 213) completed a survey concerning an instance on infidelity and a subsequent advice interaction. Injured party perceptions of advice interactions were measured by examining advice messages, perceived face threat, and perceived face support, in addition to perceived effectiveness of the advice message. Results from this study showed no significant differences in perceived face threat, perceived face support, or advice effectiveness between different advice messages. Results also indicated both positive and negative face threat as negative predictors of advice effectiveness. While negative face support was a positive predictor of advice effectiveness, positive face support was a negative predictor. When controlling for relational closeness, negative face support was the only significant predictor of advice effectiveness.

Det har betydelse att förstå reaktioner på otrogna beteenden. Forskning visar att män upprörs av sexuell otrohet, kvinnor mer av emotionell. Skillnaderna kan med Sexual Economics Theory (SET) förklaras av olika roller i heterosexuella samspel. Syftet med denna studie var att se hur otrohet och partneregenskaper uppfattas hos studerande i Sverige samt om resultatet relaterar till SET. Ett tillgänglighetsurval på 84 kvinnor och 63 män gjordes på en högskola i Mellansverige. En enkätstudie med vinjett varierade bedragarkön och otrohetstyp. Resultatet visade att män och kvinnor reagerar mer på sexuell otrohet. Bedömning av otroget beteende skiljer sig inte åt beroende på manlig eller kvinnlig bedragare. Partnerattraktivitet är vanligare önskan hos män, engagemang vanligare hos kvinnor. Slutsatserna innebär likheter i otrohetsuppfattning hos studerande i Sverige samt svag olikhet vad gäller könsskillnader i önskvärda egenskaper. Vidare studier föreslås testa SET relaterat till otrohetsuppfattning och partneregenskaper i olika jämställda samhällen.