Formation process of couples' Extramarital relations

Extramarital affairs are one of the harms of the family institution that fundamentally affects the couple's relationship. this study aimed to identify the process of formation of extramarital relationships between couples. The research method of the present study was based on a qualitative approach and using the narrative interview technique. The statistical sample of the study was 20 people who referred to the court and law offices of Mashhad and the sample size was determined based on the information saturation rule.In the analysis of interviews, 13 main categories and 39 subcategories were extracted. The relationships between the main categories showed that extramarital relationships are created through a four-step process. These stages include contextual conditions, causal conditions, strategies, and intervening conditions that have led to the tendency to extramarital relationships and, ultimately, the establishment of extramarital relationships. Finally, the core category of this research was "weakening the codes of honor in today's society."