UNDERSTANDING HOW COUPLES MAINTAIN MONOGAMY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THEORY OF PROTECTIVE FACTORS USING GROUNDED THEORY A dissertation submitted to the Kent State University College of Education, Health, and Human Services in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Marissa A. Fye March, 2018 A dissertation written by Marissa A. Fye B.A., Doane College, 2011 M.S.Ed., University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2014 Ph.D., Kent State University, 2018 Approved by ____________________________, Co-director, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Dr. Jason McGlothlin ____________________________, Co-director, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Dr. Betsy Page ____________________________, Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Dr. Philip Rumrill Accepted by ____________________________, Director, School of Life Span Development and Dr. Mary Dellmann-Jenkins Educational Sciences ____________________________, Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Dean James Hannon Services ii iii FYE, MARISSA, A., Ph.D., May 2018 Counselor Education and Supervision UNDERSTANDING HOW COUPLES MAINTAIN FIDLEITY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THEORY OF PROTECTIVE FACTORS USING GROUNDED THEORY Co-Directors of Dissertation: Jason McGlothlin, Ph.D. Betsy Page, Ed.D. The purpose of this study was to expose a theory which explains how married persons maintain monogamy. Ten participants were interviewed twice, using a semi-structured interview format, which lasted approximately 45 minutes to one hour and thirty minutes. The interviews were transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory methods of data collection and analysis were used. Member-checking, bracketing, peer-review, analytic memos, and external auditing were used throughout the study for verification purposes. Participation in the study was based on the inclusionary criteria of: (a) being legally married in the United States, (b) being 18 years or older, (c) having never cheated (i.e. emotionally or sexually) in their current marriage, (d) being able to read and speak English, and (e) being willing to be interviewed twice. The data supported the finding that monogamy is maintained by small, continual, and consistent efforts in each protective factor area. The protective factors include: (a) practicing congruence, (b) fostering values and beliefs which support monogamy, (c) building a secure attachment or emotional bond, (d) sex in a marriage, (e) behavioral, cognitive, and relationship boundaries, and (f) coping individually and as a couple. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are several people who deserve to be acknowledged and honored for their contributions to this study and to my professional development. First, I dedicate this dissertation to Grace Mims, who taught me what it means to be a counselor and who continues to mentor me as a Counselor Educator and Supervisor. Second, to my dear friends and colleagues at Kent State University, Phoenix Mussalow, Robert Bradley, and Alicia Hall, thank you for all of support and friendship. Third, to Jason Weider and my family for supporting me and my career unconditionally. Fourth, to my committee and the faculty at Kent State University for challenging me to grow as a scholar and as a professional. Fifth, to the participants who allowed me to learn about their marriages. You have all significantly contributed to my personal and professional life. Thank you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................1 Purpose and Rationale....................................................................................................3 Construct Definitions .....................................................................................................4 Review of Literature ......................................................................................................5 Marriage .................................................................................................................... 6 Monogamy ..................................................................................................................9 Infidelity ....................................................................................................................11 Types of Infidelity..................................................................................................11 Sexual or Behavioral Infidelity ..............................................................................12 Electronic Infidelity ..............................................................................................13 Emotional Infidelity ............................................................................................. 15 Cultural Differences and Risk Factors of Infidelity .....................................................16 Prevalence Rates of Infidelity and Sexual Orientation ................................................20 Heterosexual/Sexual Majority Rates and Experiences ............................................21 Same-sex/Sexual Minority Rates and Experiences .................................................. 22 Gendered Experiences of Infidelity ..........................................................................25 Infidelity and Divorce ...............................................................................................29 Theories of Infidelity ...................................................................................................31 Evolutionary Theory ................................................................................................32 Attachment Theory ..................................................................................................35 Secure attachment type ..........................................................................................37 Avoidant attachment type ......................................................................................38 Anxious attachment type ...................................................................................... 39 Social Exchange Theory ......................................................................................... 40 The Investment Model ..............................................................................................41 Personality Types and Infidelity ..................................................................................43 Treating Infidelity in Couples Theory .........................................................................45 Purpose and Research Questions .................................................................................50 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................51 II. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................53 Purpose .........................................................................................................................53 Research Questions ......................................................................................................55 Qualitative Research ....................................................................................................55 v Grounded Theory .........................................................................................................56 Constructivist Grounded Theory..................................................................................57 Participants ...................................................................................................................60 Description of Participants ........................................................................................61 Description of the Researcher .....................................................................................64 Methods........................................................................................................................65 Data Collection .........................................................................................................65 Interview Format .......................................................................................................66 Organization and Reflection ........................................................................................66 Verification and Trustworthiness ..............................................................................67 Procedures ....................................................................................................................67 Sampling Procedures ............................................................................................... 68 Theoretical sampling ............................................................................................. 69 Phase One .................................................................................................................70 Verification and Reflection .......................................................................................71 Memo writing and research journaling ..................................................................72 Phase Two .................................................................................................................72 Verification and Reflection ....................................................................................73 Memo