Staying Together After Infidelity: An Exploration of the Decision-Making Process of Recovery From the Perspective of the Injured Partner.

ABSTRACT: Infidelity impacts a significant number of people with potentially devastating consequences. Many people choose to stay with their partner following infidelity, but there is limited research on the decision-making processes in affair recovery from the perspective of the injured partner. The current study explores this phenomenon through semi-structured interviews with 11 injured (i.e., did not have an affair) partners who chose to remain with their partner after experiencing infidelity. Nine main themes were identified: (a) stance on infidelity, (b) sharing with others, (c) reasons to stay, (d) apology, (e) social support, (f) sexual intimacy expectations, (g) rebuilding trust, (h) therapy, and (i) other resources. These findings extend existing research on affair recovery by intentionally

SUBMITTER: Mitchell EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12745057 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature