The Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas Caused by Spousal Infidelity in the Occurrence of Acute Stress Disorder after Disclosure of Infidelity

The emotional and behavioral effects of disclosing infidelity on each of the couples involved are extremely destructive. This often leads to acute stress disorder, which is the primary and most significant response to such a situation. In this context, schemas, acting as a framework for information processing, can be effective in managing acute stress by bringing about profound changes in attitudes towards oneself, others, and the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maladaptive schemas on acute stress disorder resulting from spousal infidelity.

The research method used was descriptive-correlational. The study's statistical population comprised couples engaged in marital infidelity who sought assistance from courts and family counseling centers in Tehran and Saveh cities between 2020 and 2021. A sample of 172 individuals was selected using the purposeful sampling method. Data collection tools included the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (Cardena et al., 2000) and the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (1998). The data were analyzed using SPSS24 software, which employed descriptive indicators such as frequency, frequency percentage, mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis. Statistical tests including Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were also conducted.

The study findings revealed a significant positive relationship (p<0.01) between acute stress reactions to a spouse's infidelity and early maladaptive schemas, including disconnection and rejection (r=0.40), impaired autonomy and performance (r=0.34), other-directedness (r=0.29), overvigilance and inhibition (r=0.44), and impaired limits (r=0.25). Various types of acute stress reactions, including dissociative symptoms, re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and functional disorder, were found to have a significant positive relationship with early maladaptive schemas and their domains (p<0.05). The domains of early maladaptive schemas accounted for 33% of the total variance in acute stress disorder (p<0.01).

The research results indicate that maladaptive schemas formed as a result of spousal infidelity serve as the foundation for the development of acute stress disorder following the revelation of the infidelity.