Surviving infidelity: The couples' attempts at healing and rebuilding their relationship

• Main Authors: Carino, Maria Isabella J., Cuatico, Nadine Alexandra Z., Marchadesch, Julio Marzel B., Reyes, Kirsten Adrienne P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Adultery > Philippines; Marriage > Philippines
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6186
• Institution: De La Salle University

Infidelity is identified as a significant marriage disruptor that affects both the betrayed party and the infidelity transgressor. However, its occurrence does not necessarily signal the end of the relationship. Using the qualitative research method, particularly thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), this study explores the lived experience of 4 Filipino couples who decided to stay together or get back together after marital infidelity took place. The researchers gathered and analyzed shared insights from the couple and individual insights from the betrayed partner and the transgressor in transgressor in order to facilitate a better understanding of the couples' attempts at healing and rebuilding, including exploring how the infidelity took place, how this phenomenon affected the couple, the factors that helped them continue with the relationship and how they see the future of their relationship. Four key themes emerged from the analysis of data. These are (1) marital instability, (2) mutual decision to rebuild the marriage, (3) active process of healing and rebuilding and (4) looking towards the future and planning ahead. Altogether, these themes present a pattern that shows how couples move forward from the experience of infidelity.