Sexual Infidelity as an Attachment Injury in Iranian Women: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Sexual infidelity can have a devastating impact on the couple’s relationship, as well as the individual’s life. Studies shows that many Iranian couples ask for divorce after experiencing sexual infidelity. This qualitative study explores the effects of sexual infidelity on Iranian attachment injured women asking for divorce. In this cultural study, 32 women with betrayal experience were interviewed. All interviews were transcribed word by word and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show the impacts of sexual betrayal, as an attachment injury, can be classified into four themes including 1) sexual relationships, 2) emotional effects, 3) cognitive effects and 4) behavioral effects. It has been demonstrated that attachment injury caused by infidelity damages the cultural foundation of mutual trust within partners. Infidelity as an attachment injury is also discussed. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.