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Home   ›   Marriage Advice   ›   Marriage Help

Help With Infidelity in Marriage

Surviving Infidelity in Marriage
Infidelity, adultery, or cheating is a form of betrayal. It can occur as sexual infidelity, emotional infidelity or a combination of both. It does not signal an end of love in marriage but certainly causes a lot of heartbreak to the betrayed spouse. If couples are willing to work on the infidelity issues, their relationship can be restored.
In This Guide
  • What constitutes infidelity in marriage
  • How to avoid infidelity
  • How to recover from infidelity

What constitutes infidelity in a marriage?

The definition of infidelity in marriage is very subjective based on a person’s beliefs, values, and expectations from the relationship. Viewing pornography, unfaithful behavior, sex outside the relationship, and emotional affairs, in different degrees, can be termed infidelity by a spouse and may not be considered as forms of cheating in a relationship by the other partner. Here’s a quick guide for you to learn What Constitutes Infidelity in a Marriage?

What are the signs of infidelity?
A sudden lack of interest or rough spots in communication, spouse acting guilty for no apparent reason, a non-existent sex life are some of the common signs or symptoms of infidelity. To spot the different types of cheating in a relationship before it starts breaking it apart, learn What Are the Signs of Infidelity?
Why do people cheat?
Infidelity in marriage takes place due to many reasons such as an emotional or physical disconnect, lack of confidence or communication, and a desire to try something new or even childhood issues. Here’s what Crystal Rice, Counselor, has to say when asked Why Do People Cheat in a Marriage?
How does infidelity affect you?
Infidelity in marriage affects the cheater and the betrayed partner in different ways. The cheater has increased feelings of anxiety, guilt, helplessness, fear, resistance to speak up and may even become depressed. The betrayed partner can experience rage, anxiety, low self-esteem, increased distress, self-blame or shame, and depression. Here’s more on How Infidelity Affects You.
Do men cheat more than women?
Over the years, data from surveys, including conducted by the U.S. General Social Survey, which says that 20% of men cheat compared to 13% of women, hint that the male population is more prone to cheat, but recent surveys also show that the gap is closing, meaning that women have started cheating more. Explore what marriage experts have to say when asked Do Men Cheat More Than Women?

How to avoid infidelity

Prevention is better than cure and avoiding infidelity in marriage by working on your relationship can save both of you from a lot of heartbreak. There are different ways you can intentionally avoid the situation and it takes effort from both partners. In studies conducted on 233 couples by researchers at the Florida State University, it was found that biases related to attractive relationship alternatives can help avoid infidelity in relationships.

Is it possible to avoid infidelity?
The simple answer is yes. By being intentional, being available and defending your marriage from different negative influences, it is possible to avoid affairs, says Counselor Greg Griffin. Here’s a quick guide that explains the Three ‘Bs’ of Avoiding Infidelity.

How to prevent your partner from cheating on you?
It is possible to affair-proof your relationship by healing past hurts and resentments, connecting with each other, working on your relationship, having fun, investing in the relationship, keeping the passion alive, making room for surprises, and getting out of the monotony of everyday life. Learn about these tips and more in this quick guide on how to avoid infidelity by Marriage & Family Therapist Katie Lemieux on How to Prevent Your Partner from Cheating on You.

How to protect your marriage from infidelity?
Ensuring there’s no lack of intimacy, emotional security and a need to look elsewhere to find a connection can help in protecting a relationship and avoid infidelity in marriage, says Counselor Elizabeth McCormick. Making efforts to repair the relationship once infidelity takes place also helps. Explore these points in detail here to know How to Protect Your Marriage From Infidelity.

How to recover from infidelity

Infidelity does not mean that the relationship has to end. Recovering from infidelity can seem very difficult, but it’s possible. It takes two to manage the relationship and also to get it back on track. Following certain steps in the recovery process for coping with infidelity can help, but professional help from an infidelity therapist is also necessary in many cases to work through infidelity.


How to recover from infidelity
To recover from infidelity in marriage, cheating must end immediately. Recovery takes time but establishing accountability and boundaries is one of the essential stages of coping with infidelity. Managing negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions is also important for working through an affair, says Counselor Lesley A Cross. Here’s an insightful piece of advice from her where she explains in detail How to Recover from Infidelity.

How to cope with infidelity
To cope with infidelity in marriage, the offender has to stop, deal with the resentment, feel true repentance, and start trusting again while the offended has to acknowledge the relationship dynamic necessary to have a better marriage, according to Marriage Counselor and Psychotherapist Sam Alibrando. Check out this article by him to learn How to Cope With Infidelity.

How should you apologize for cheating?
Be completely honest. Convey your new commitment to the relationship and create a space of safety. Be patient and develop self-awareness about your undermining perspectives about love and relationships, says Psychotherapist Delverlon Hall, who specializes in offering couples therapy. To make things right, learn How You Should Apologize for Cheating.

Can separation help a couple recover from infidelity?
A marital separation lets you and your partner figure out what you want from your lives and what you want for the future without any interference. For this, there are some rules to follow so that the time spent apart can heal the relationship. Check out this article to learn if Separation Can Help Couples Recover From Infidelity.
Get Help From an Infidelity Therapist

Top Infidelity Resources

Turn things around with expert articles on surviving infidelity & rebuilding trust.
8 Common Causes of Infidelity in Relationships
50 Things to Ask for from Your Cheating Partner
How To Deal With A Cheater
8 Female Infidelity Signs of Cheating in a Relationship
How to Survive Depression after Infidelity
The Damage of Betrayal in Marital Relationships
How to Heal From Insecurity After Infidelity
How To Cope With Anxiety After Husband’s Affair
What To Do When You Are Being Accused of Cheating
Dealing With Repeated Infidelity in Marriage
How to Help Yourself Survive an Emotional Affair
5 Glaring Effects of Anxiety After Infidelity

Infidelity Quotes

Being a victim of infidelity is emotionally traumatizing. These quotes about infidelity will help you overcome this crisis and will infuse positivity in your life.
QuoteIconWhen you finally let go of the past, something better comes along.”
QuoteIconRecovery begins from the darkest moment. – John Major.”
More Infidelity Quotes

Popular Infidelity Quizzes

There are many reasons that can cause a couple to drift apart but nothing can be as excruciating as unfaithfulness in marriage. If you are feeling anxious, if your partner has strayed into the path of infidelity and if you are the only one trying to keep your relationship afloat then take these cheating quizzes.
Should I Stay With My Husband After He Cheated Quiz
Should I Stay With My Husband After He Cheated Quiz

10 Questions
For a spouse having to compete with another person for their man’s heart is too overwhelming. Infidelity is the worst thing to happen in a relationship. It can leave the victim…
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Is He Cheating Quiz

10 Questions
There are different reasons as to why a man would cheat. Sometimes they cheat because they are bored with the relationship, they also cheat because they feel they made…
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Should I Forgive Him for Cheating Quiz

10 Questions
Let’s admit it, anyone can be tempted to cheat. Only the purest at heart or the determined ones can actually sustain their relationships without succumbing to temptations. And, although most…
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