Explaining the process of formation of marital infidelity in women with addicted spouses

The present research aimed to explain the formation process of marital infidelity in women with substance-dependent spouses.

The method of this research was qualitative of the grounded theory type. The statistical population of the current research included women with substance-dependent spouses in the city of Qorveh, 18 of whom were selected by snowball sampling method. The data collection tool was an in-depth semi-structured interview. Simultaneously with data collection, coding and analyzing were performed in three stages of open, axial, and selective coding.

The identified and extracted factors affecting the formation of marital infidelity in women with substance-dependent spouses included: a) Underlying factors, including individual, psychological, and interpersonal factors, b) Revealing factors, including family and risk factors, c) Perpetuating factors, including social, cultural, and environmental factors, and d) Aggravating factors, including emotional and sexual factors. In addition, the strategies included intervention in individual, family, social, environmental, cultural, interpersonal, communication, and intervention factors.

Several factors contribute to the formation of marital infidelity in women with substance-dependent spouses, and by identifying them in different environments, cultures, and societies, effective measures can be taken to reduce marital infidelity and even prevent addiction, and public awareness can be created.