Investigating Marital Contractual Processes in Patients Referred to the Social Psychosocial Center of Noor Hospital

Marital infidelity is one of the factors interfering with family health and the most important factor threatening the performance, stability and continuity of marital relationships. The study aimed to investigate the process of infidelity of men.

The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach-theoretical survey. The study population consisted of all women who experienced infidelity and referred to the socio-psychiatric clinic of the Noor Hospital. The study sample included eight female victims of marital infidelity who were purposefully selected. The main data collection method in this research was semi-organized or non-organized interview.

The results of the interviews were summarized in four categories of underlying factors of infidelity, deterrents and inhibitors, reactions and consequences. The underlying factors included individual, interpersonal and economic factors, deterrents included individual and interpersonal factors. Inhibitors included maternal affection, unilateral responsibility and paternity of wife, loving children by the man, and the attachment of the man to religious obligations. Reactions included reveal of the infidelity by the wife, the wife’s ignorance, the attempt to discover the truth, vigilance, grief, denial, and consequences included the attempts for revenge, silence, and attempts to rebuild the relationshi.

According to the findings of the research, consideration of the underlying factors of infidelity and the individual characteristics of the couple has a significant role in the stability or instability of marital relationship. Consideration of these factors by advisers and couple therapists can be effective in improving the marital stability.