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Extramarital sexual affairs

S B Levine1

  • 1Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
|July 22, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This essay explores four types of sexual acting out, including affairs, and discusses their psychopathology and existential meanings. It offers guidance for therapists treating individuals and couples navigating infidelity and its consequences.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Human Sexuality

Background:

  • Sexual acting out is a complex behavior with varied interpretations.
  • Understanding the nuances of different forms of sexual acting out is crucial for therapeutic intervention.
  • Infidelity and its impact on individuals and relationships require careful examination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To subdivide sexual acting out into four distinct forms: affairs, just-sex, making-do sex, and imaginary partner sex.
  • To define the separate meanings of these behaviors for the unfaithful spouse, the partner, and the therapist.
  • To explore the potential psychopathology and existential dimensions of sexual acting out, particularly love affairs.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis and theoretical exploration of sexual acting out behaviors.

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  • Examination of existing justifications for viewing sexual acting out as psychopathology.
  • Exploration of the conscious experiences of both the betrayed and the betrayer in infidelity.

    • Main Results:

    • Sexual acting out can be categorized into four distinct forms, each with unique implications.
    • Love affairs, while sometimes viewed pathologically, can also be understood as existential choices.
    • The subjective experiences of individuals involved in infidelity are diverse and significant.

    Conclusions:

    • Therapists require specific guidelines to effectively address individuals and couples experiencing infidelity.
    • A nuanced understanding of the different forms of sexual acting out is essential for appropriate therapeutic strategies.
    • Recognizing infidelity as potentially stemming from existential factors can inform treatment approaches.