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Not all affairs are created equal: emotional involvement with an extradyadic partner
Elizabeth S Allen1, Galena K Rhoades
1Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80217, USA. elizabeth.allen@cudenver.edu
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
|April 10, 2008
Summary
Greater emotional involvement in affairs correlates with relationship dissatisfaction and lower remorse. Understanding these emotional affairs is key for prevention and intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Relationship Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Extradyadic involvement (affairs) is a significant issue in relationships.
- Understanding the nuances of emotionally involved affairs is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between emotional involvement with an extradyadic partner and the precipitants/outcomes of that involvement.
- To differentiate emotionally involved affairs from casual affairs.
Main Methods:
- Self-report measures administered to 345 undergraduates and 115 community individuals with a history of extradyadic involvement.
- Analysis of the most recent extradyadic experience, focusing on emotional involvement levels.
Main Results:
- Higher emotional involvement linked to prior relationship dissatisfaction, intimacy/self-esteem motivations, gradual attraction, lower remorse, and increased partner knowledge.
- Path model revealed direct effects of relationship dissatisfaction and concern for partner's feelings.
- Marital dissolution was associated with emotional involvement in the community sample.
Conclusions:
- Emotionally involved affairs differ significantly from casual affairs in their origins, motivations, progression, and consequences.
- Findings have implications for the prevention and intervention of infidelity.
- Differentiating affair types is essential for understanding relationship risks.
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