UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 12-1-2012 Couples' Process of Healing from Infidelity While in Therapy Jordan Mark Staples University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Counseling Psychology Commons, and the Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons Repository Citation Staples, Jordan Mark, "Couples' Process of Healing from Infidelity While in Therapy" (2012). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 1779. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/4332760 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COUPLES’ PROCESS OF HEALING FROM INFIDELITY WHILE IN THERAPY By Jordan M. Staples Bachelor of Science, Psychology Brigham Young University 2010 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy Department of Marriage and Family Therapy Greenspun College of Urban Affairs The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2012 THE GRADUATE COLLEGE We recommend the thesis prepared under our supervision by Jordan Staples entitled Couples’ Process of Healing from Infidelity While in Therapy be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Department of Marriage and Family Therapy Stephen Fife, Ph.D., Committee Chair Katherine Hertlein, Ph.D., Committee Member Gerald Weeks, Ph.D., Committee Member Shannon Smith, Ph.D., Graduate College Representative Tom Piechota, Ph.D., Interim Vice President for Research & Dean of the Graduate College December 2012 ii ABSTRACT COUPLES’ PROCESS HEALING FROM INFIDELITY WHILE IN THREAPY By Jordan M. Staples Dr. Stephen R. Fife, Examination Committee Chair University of Nevada, Las Vegas Infidelity is one of the most common presenting problems for couples and marriage therapists. It is widely acknowledged to be a destructive phenomenon for a couple’s relationship and is one of the most difficult presenting problems to treat. Treatment models for infidelity vary and have little empirical testing. The purpose of the proposed study was to investigate the client’s perspective of the process for healing from infidelity. Additionally, the proposed study looked to qualitatively assess and amalgamate participants’ experience of the healing process for infidelity. Themes and relationships among these themes were identified using open, axial, and selective coding processes. These themes include: rebuilding trust, managing emotions, with four sub-themes: a decision to heal, change in perspective, communication, and role of therapy. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks to those who assisted in the completion of this project. First and foremost to Dr. Stephen Fife not only for spending considerable time editing and mentoring me throughout this thesis but providing encouragement to pursue such an ambitious project. I owe him much more than a few words for the experience he provided throughout my graduate studies at UNLV. Secondly, many thanks to my committee members who also contributed to the editing and feedback experience. Dr. Hertlein went out of her way to mentor my writing skills and provided attention to any questions I had throughout this project. Drs. Weeks and Smith provided insightful feedback that provided a polishing to my thesis and valuable considerations for future publication of this work. Additionally, I must thank Lindsey Lee, Ashley O’Dowd, and Daniel Cvetanovski for their help in transcribing and analyzing the results. There is nothing greater than supportive family and friends who encourage you to pursue goals and provide support along the way. Finally, I must thank my parents Mark and Jana Staples for sacrificing a lot in their lives to provide opportunities of growth for each of their children in all areas of life. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem..................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Study.........................................................................................................2 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................4 Definition..........................................................................................................................4 Prevalence.........................................................................................................................6 Impact of Infidelity...........................................................................................................7 Injured Partner...............................................................................................................8 Involved Partner...........................................................................................................10 Treating Infidelity...........................................................................................................10 Integrative Approaches................................................................................................11 Experiential Approach.................................................................................................13 Emotion-Focused Approach........................................................................................15 Social Constructionist..................................................................................................16 Alternative Approaches...............................................................................................17 Common Ground Among Models...............................................................................18 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................21 Design/Rationale for Methodology.................................................................................21 Participants......................................................................................................................22 Procedures.......................................................................................................................24 Role of Researcher..........................................................................................................25 Analysis...........................................................................................................................26 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS.................................................................................................30 Results.............................................................................................................................30 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS......................................................42 Discussion..........................................................................................................................42 Limitations in Present Study..............................................................................................47 Implications for Clinical Practice...................................................................................48 Future Research..............................................................................................................50 APPENDICES...................................................................................................................52 Appendix A: Semi-Structured Interview Question Guide...........................................53 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................55 CURRICULUM VITAE....................................................................................................63 v CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Statement of the Problem The aftermath of infidelity in a relationship can leave a couple in a whirlwind of emotion and thoughts. Couples find themselves at the starting line of an arduous ascent to create a new and improved relationship or at a junction where a road of healing separately begins, toward a new destination (Fife, Weeks, & Gambescia, 2007). Clinicians agree that infidelity is one of the most common presenting issues for couples and ranks second only to physical violence as the most destructive phenomenon to occur between partners (Atkins, Jacobsen, & Baucom, 2001; Blow & Hartnett, 2005; Whisman, Dixon, & Johnson, 1997). Pairing the prevalence of infidelity with the