Infidelity is one of the most commonly cited reasons for divorce and is associated with a variety of negative consequences such as financial burden, emotional distress, and sexual dissatisfaction. It is also perceived by therapists as being one of the most difficult issues to treat. Yet, there is limited prior research on the process of recovering from an affair, particularly from the perspective of those who have experienced it. In this project, couples who experienced an affair and stayed together post discovery were recruited to participate. Using a qualitative approach, participants completed a semi-structured interview, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Study one relied on attachment theory to better understand the role of the attachment bond in the process of recovering from an affair. Participants' perceptions of the ways in which each dimension of the attachment bond was involved in the process of recovery was analyzed. Study two examined the influence of one's role in the affair on the process of recovering from the affair. Both similarities and differences in the experiences of injured versus involved partners were examined. Implications of both studies and directions for future research are discussed.
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