What's Love Got to Do With It? A Study of the Effects of Infidelity on Contemporary Couples

Abstract

Research on infidelity has been criticized for its lack of theoretical approach and emphasis on the negative impacts on marriage. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals who had an affair, or experienced the affair of a spouse. Combined with a critical sociological approach to the existing literature on infidelity, this study explores the usefulness of theoretical concepts and perspectives adopted by other researchers. This study offers suggestions for future areas of inquiry and stresses the importance of studying extramarital relationships from a sociological perspective.